Table of Contents
- Wasting Billions
- Government's Inability to Remove Asylum Seekers
- Asylum Support Costs
- Review Findings
- Recommendations
- Home Secretary's Reforms
BRITAIN is squandering billions as unsuccessful asylum seekers remain trapped in the system for years, according to the spending watchdog.
The report highlighted the Government’s “inability to swiftly remove individuals” once their claims are denied as a primary factor contributing to the backlog.
The findings were released shortly after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood unveiled her asylum reformsCredit: PA
The National Audit Office cautioned that the costs associated with asylum support have reached £4.9 billion this year.
In a review of individuals who sought asylum in January 2023, it was found that 35 percent were granted protection nearly three years later.
Among those denied, only nine percent had been removed from the UK.
A significant 56 percent of this group remains unresolved.
The broader report indicates that weak data, outdated IT systems, and fragmented accountability hinder effective case tracking.
It advocates for a comprehensive system approach, along with practical proposals for removing individuals who cannot be repatriated.
This comes just days after the Home Secretary announced her asylum reforms.
The watchdog emphasizes that she must tackle these “bottlenecks,” while the Government pledged it is already developing solutions.
Failed asylum seekers are remaining stuck in the system for years, according to a spending watchdogCredit: AFP
What are the main issues with the asylum system in Britain?
The main issues include the inability of the Government to promptly remove failed asylum seekers, leading to a backlog, high asylum support costs, and ineffective tracking of cases due to outdated systems and weak data.
What are the recent reforms announced by the Home Secretary?
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, announced reforms aimed at addressing the bottlenecks in the asylum process, although specific details of these reforms have not been disclosed in this report.
How much is being spent on asylum support in Britain?
Asylum support costs have reached £4.9 billion this year, according to the National Audit Office.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
