UK Asylum Appeals Backlog Soars by Nearly 500% Over Two Years

The surge in appeals is straining the asylum system, with tens of thousands left in limbo and taxpayer costs climbing to £1.5 billion annually.

The number of asylum appeals in the UK has risen from 7,133 in early 2023 to 41,987 by the end of 2024, a 485% increase, according to Ministry of Justice data.
The backlog is attributed to a higher rate of asylum claim rejections and efforts to clear initial application backlogs, which have shifted pressure to the appeals process.
The Refugee Council estimates that accommodating 38,079 asylum seekers in hotels could cost nearly £1.5 billion in 2025, with many migrants stuck in limbo awaiting decisions.
The government plans to address delays by introducing a 24-week legal deadline for asylum appeals and increasing legal aid rates to address a shortage of immigration lawyers.
Critics, including the Refugee Council, warn that rushed decision-making and stricter asylum rules are leading to errors, prolonging appeals and exacerbating the system's challenges.