In the last quarter of 2024, following Labour's efforts to resume asylum decision-making, 12,183 new appeals were lodged by individuals whose claims were denied.

Changes implemented under the previous government have led to increased errors in asylum decisions, further complicating the appeal process.

The grant rate for asylum applications fell to 47% in 2024, contributing to the rise in appeals, particularly among Afghan refugees, whose acceptance rate dropped to only 40%.

The government is also exploring measures to limit the use of the European Convention on Human Rights to block deportations, particularly concerning Article 8, which guarantees the right to family life.

Enver Solomon, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council, has stressed the importance of effective decision-making to prevent future backlogs and to facilitate refugee integration.

The Home Office was accommodating approximately 38,079 asylum seekers in hotels by the end of 2024, leading to projected costs of nearly £1.5 billion for 2025.

Ministers, including Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, are considering revising laws to enforce a maximum 24-week processing time for asylum appeals, as the current average stands at about 46 weeks.

In light of the asylum system's inadequacies, a government spokesperson indicated that urgent actions are being taken to clear the backlog, potentially saving taxpayers £4 billion over the next two years.

The UK has experienced a staggering 500% increase in asylum appeal requests over the past two years, resulting in nearly 42,000 pending appeals by the end of 2024.

As of December 2024, the backlog of asylum appeals had surged to 41,987, a significant rise from just 7,133 at the start of 2023.

The government has acknowledged the need for reform in the asylum processing system, with plans to reduce reliance on hotel accommodations for asylum seekers.

A shortage of immigration lawyers has exacerbated delays in asylum appeals, often resulting in adjournments or self-representation.