Pakistan has become the largest source of asylum seekers in the UK, overtaking Afghanistan. The number of Pakistani asylum applications has risen sharply over recent years, AFP reported. Previously, most asylum seekers came from Syria and Iran, but changing global dynamics have shifted the pattern.
The UK’s Labour government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has pledged to address the growing backlog in asylum cases. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves announced new measures in the Spending Review to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of processing asylum claims.
The government plans to save £1 billion annually by cutting the expensive use of hotels to house asylum seekers. These funds will accelerate the handling of applications, speed up appeals, and ensure the return of those without legal rights to remain in the UK.
Asylum applications have tripled from an average of 27,500 per year (2011-2020) to 84,200 in 2024. The rising numbers have caused significant delays. To manage this, the government is negotiating to establish return centers outside the UK for rejected asylum seekers.
Meanwhile, migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats have increased dramatically since 2018. In 2023, asylum seekers and refugees made up 11% of the UK’s migrant population, nearly double the 6% share in 2019. The government is working hard to manage these ongoing challenges.