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Record number of asylum claims submitted in Labour’s first year

Chris Philp challenged over why he didn't encourage councils to take legal action over asylum hotels when Tories were in power

The number of asylum seekers housed temporarily in government hotels has risen by eight per cent in Labour’s first year, reaching 32,059 by June, though this figure is significantly lower than the peak under the previous government.
A record 111,084 people submitted asylum claims in the year ending June 2025, the highest number since 2001, with 39 per cent arriving via small boats.
Labour claims progress in managing the asylum system, including an 11 per cent reduction in asylum costs and a significant cut in the backlog of unprocessed claims, now at 70,532.
Enforced removals of asylum seekers have increased by 25 per cent, with 9,100 people returned to their country of origin, contributing to over 35,000 total removals in the past year.
Despite progress, concerns remain over the high cost of hotel accommodation, ongoing legal challenges from councils, and the need to improve the quality of initial asylum decisions.