The UK asylum system is under enhanced focus as new Home Office figures reveal that 109,343 asylum claims have been received in the same period ending March 2025 that is up 17 percent as compared to the previous year, and a 6 percent rise above the previous peak reached in 2002.
This increase, the largest in history since 1979, is also increasing pressure to impose more stringent border controls and has put Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government in the firing line of Tory critics. As the use of small boats to cross remains and there are long backlogs of applications, the numbers highlight the pressure of global migration issues as a result of crisis regions such as Afghanistan, Syria, and Sudan.
Published August 22, 2025, the statistics reveal a complicated geography with 77,066 main applicants and 22,724 dependents lodging protection claims, linked to increased unrest in locations like Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran, nationalities making up more than a quarter of submissions.
Although the total number of cases still pending an initial decision will reduce to 109,536 by March 2025, or 8 per cent of those that have to go through a new decision process, its effect on resource capacity and on the public purse remains a concern to experts. Migration Observatory reports that the backlog still remains high compared to historical values, with 31 per cent of the cases taking longer than a year.
Opposition Ramps Up Criticism on Starmer’s Immigration Handling
Reform and Conservative UK representatives have criticised the Labour government, arguing that it has failed to protect the UK borders and uphold its promise to overhaul the system, as stated during the pre-election campaign. According to Reuters, critics are attempting to put pressure on Starmer on an unprecedented claim, hitting out at the idea of runaway migration.
Since assuming office in 2024, Starmer has placed a greater emphasis on a fair and firm approach, including the repeal of certain sections of the Illegal Migration Act and international collaboration to dismantle smuggling networks. But with levels of claims such as these, critics say nothing has been done to correct the problems inherited in the previous Conservative fly-rule.
The figures demonstrate that the number of asylum seekers that entered the country via small boats in the period covering the year ending March 2025 was 36,123, which represented 33 per cent of all the claims made and a 22 per cent rise when compared to the previous closely related period. Almost all (99 per cent) of these people made asylum applications with an average of 54 persons per wayward craft compared to 50 the previous year.
Most of the Afghan nationals led at 15 per cent, followed by Syrians, Eritreans, Iranians and the Sudanese, which was a result of persecution. Comparatively, the UK ranks 17th in Europe in terms of asylum applications per capita, trailing Germany, Spain, France, and Italy.
Asylum Backlog and Support System Strain Public Resources
Although the asylum backlog has decreased to over 109,000, with some cases having waited years to have their applications resolved, a significant number of asylum seekers are faced with the debilitating effects of overstaying. There were 106,771 asylum seekers on government support at the close of March 2025. 32,345 were staying in hotels, a 15% drop from the end of 2024, but still a heavy load at 49.18 per week per head. The Refugee Council explains that such support is critical, but it keeps a person in limbo and is unable to add to the economy, despite the resulting unready value.
At the first-time asylum decision, the grant rates have declined to 49 per cent for the year ending March 2025, compared to 61 per cent before, partly due to the increase in proof requirements under the Nationality and Borders Act 2022. Appeals tend to reverse refusals and raise overall protection levels; however, the appeals backlog has continued to expand, and in 2024, new lodgments outstripped the number of decisions made. Unaccompanied children have a higher number of cases that lead to grants 74%.
Protests and Public Sentiment Fuel Immigration Debate
Anti-immigration rallies have escalated, and demonstrations to that effect take place out in front of asylum accommodation units in evidence of the general dissatisfaction. Citing planned actions by groups such as Palestine Action, which would seek to elude bans by tactics that would make mass arrests logistically impracticable, The Guardian reports the existence of overlapping solidarity movements. Embattled counter-protests put forth an argument in support of refugees, giving their impassioned plea to sympathetic policies.
Although progress has been made, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defending her achievements that have seen a downturn in hotel occupancy and in the number of deportations, she has promised to eliminate the need for temporary housing by 2029. However, as the number of homeless people increases among newly recognised refugees 39% to 15,200 households in 2024, reformers insist it is time to make changes.
Implications of the Post-Brexit Migration Policy to the UK
With Starmer steering through this crisis, the high 2025 asylum numbers may also lead to policy shifts that may include increased family reunifications by 72 per cent or 20,592 visas, or increased work rights.
The Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill, tabled in 2025, aims to abolish Rwanda’s plans and strengthen smuggling requirements. Against economic bonuses, such as a resurgence of consumer confidence buoyed by Bank of England rate reductions, immigration is near the top of voter concerns, and Labour is put in the invidious position of trying to square humanitarian obligations against national concerns.