Shock as data show 30,000 asylum seekers have been limbo in Britain for more than six years as they wait for ruling on their status
- Over 30,000 asylum seekers have waited in the UK for over six years waiting for their applications
- Nearly half have spent over a decade in the UK, while taxpayers fund their living
- Provided accommodation is costing over £2billion per year
More than 30,000 asylum seekers have been waiting in Britain for more than six years while their applications are heard, official figures have revealed.
Nearly half – 13,000 – have spent more than a decade in the UK, while taxpayers fund their living expenses to the tune of billions of pounds per year.
Home Office figures from a Freedom of Information request by The Sun on Sunday show 60,290 cases have dragged on for at least three years. Some 12,994 had been in limbo for ten years.
Migrants are processed at centres before being provided accommodation at hotels or bed and breakfasts, costing over £2billion per year – but rising to £3.5billion this year.
Home Office figures from a Freedom of Information request show more than 30,000 asylum seekers have been waiting in Britain for more than six years while their applications are heard
Share this article
Migration Watch chairman Alp Mehmet said: ‘If, after ten years, it is still not possible to make a decision, the claim is clearly pretty weak.
‘Such failures are the result of dithering and indecision. It’s an absolute disgrace.’
James Roberts, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, added: ‘Taxpayers are footing the bill for asylum backlogs.’
At present, there are around 150,000 asylum seekers in total awaiting a decision on their status.
Migration Watch chairman Alp Mehmet said: ‘If, after ten years, it is still not possible to make a decision, the claim is clearly pretty weak'
The Government had planned to deter arrivals with a controversial plan to process individuals in Rwanda but this has also met legal challenges.
It is currently looking at increasing resources and improving cooperation with French authorities.
A Home Office spokesman said: ‘We have established an Asylum Action Group to focus on increasing productivity within the asylum system and speed up the processing of claims.’
Most watched News videos
- Incredible drone footage of Charmouth Beach following the rockfall
- Ray Hadley in tears over daughter and mass Bondi Junction killings
- 'Tornado' leaves trail destruction knocking over stationary caravan
- Fashion world bids farewell to Roberto Cavalli
- 'Declaration of war': Israeli President calls out Iran but wants peace
- Crowd chants 'bring him out' outside church where stabber being held
- Wind and rain batter the UK as Met Office issues yellow warning
- Israeli Iron Dome intercepts Iranian rockets over Jerusalem
- Farage praises Brexit as 'right thing to do' after events in Brussels
- Nigel Farage accuses police to shut down Conservatism conference
- Suella Braverman hits back as Brussels Mayor shuts down conference
- Incredible drone footage of Charmouth Beach following the rockfall
