Overview
- A National Audit Office review found 56% of a tracked cohort of 5,000 people who claimed asylum in January 2023 still had no final outcome by September 2025.
- Ministry of Justice figures show asylum appeals waiting to be heard reached 69,670 by September 2025, now larger than the queue for initial decisions.
- The watchdog estimates about £4.9bn was spent on asylum in 2024–25, with roughly £3.4bn on accommodation and support, and incomplete recording of wider public costs.
- Auditors reported poor system data and no single point of accountability, noting gaps on absconding, enforcement activity and people receiving no state support.
- The NAO recommends a published cross‑department strategy, system indicators and added tribunal and removals capacity to deliver ministers’ reforms and avoid bottleneck shifting.