Summary
The UK's asylum system has problems with delays and wasted money, according to a report by the National Audit Office (NAO). Many asylum seekers have been waiting years for decisions on their cases, and a lack of judges has made the situation worse. The government is encouraged to make long-term changes to fix these issues.
Key Facts
- The NAO report highlighted inefficiencies and problems in the UK's asylum process.
- Around 56% of asylum cases from January 2023 still have not been resolved.
- Some asylum seekers live in hotels due to a lack of other housing options, costing £2.7 billion in 2024-25.
- A backlog was moved from initial processing to the appeal stage due to previous reforms.
- There is a shortage of specialist immigration judges, complicating the appeals process.
- The report suggests the need for a comprehensive and sustainable approach to improve the system.
- A lack of technology integration prevents tracking individual asylum cases throughout the process.
