Summary
The UK government has prioritized tackling illegal immigration and improving the asylum system. However, the number of small boat crossings is increasing, and the promises to end the use of asylum hotels and smash people-smuggling gangs face challenges. The government also struggles with clearing the backlog of asylum cases, even as decisions on applications have increased.
Key Facts
- The prime minister wants to tackle illegal immigration and fix the asylum system.
- Small boat crossings by people entering the UK have reached record levels.
- The UK government aims to stop using hotels for asylum seekers by 2029, but the numbers have increased.
- Hotels are currently housing about 38,000 asylum seekers, costing £8 million daily.
- The government promised to disrupt people-smuggling gangs but has not set clear goals or measures for success.
- Data on anti-smuggling efforts may be published in the future.
- About 43,000 people entered the UK illegally last year, compared to nearly one million legal entries.
- The asylum backlog consists of pending claims, which have increased despite more decisions being made.
