Record Number of Migrants Granted Asylum in UK

Home Office data has revealed a significant increase in asylum claims in the UK, with over 25,300 individuals arriving by small boat granted asylum or humanitarian protection in the year leading up to June. This figure represents a dramatic rise from approximately 6,600 in the previous year, contributing to a record total of 76,176 asylum grants, more than triple the number from the prior year. The surge is attributed to a backlog-clearing initiative launched by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, aimed at resolving longstanding asylum claims. Despite the increase in asylum grants, the data highlights a concerning trend regarding the removal of small boat migrants. Since the onset of the Channel crisis in 2018, only 3% of the 127,834 migrants who arrived via small boats have been deported, with just 3,788 sent back to their home countries. The first half of this year saw a quadrupling of small boat arrivals, with 2,248 individuals making the perilous journey, predominantly from Vietnam and Afghanistan. In response to the ongoing crisis, Labour has announced plans to establish a Border Security Command with enhanced powers to combat human trafficking. Migration Minister Seema Malhotra emphasized the need for a controlled immigration system, while Foreign Secretary James Cleverly criticized Labour for potentially undermining progress made under previous policies. The average number of migrants per small boat has also surged, with over 50 individuals now typically found on each vessel, a stark increase from just 10 in 2019.