Immigration Stats: Time for Home Secretary to stop grandstanding and finally get serious

EMBARGO: Immediate release 

Released today, the Home Office’s own statistics show that the asylum backlog has reached a record high, with 175,457 people waiting for an initial decision on their claim as of the end of June. 

This is up by 35% from the same time period last year, despite Rishi Sunak’s promise to clear the asylum backlog by the end of this year. 

Commenting on the figures, Liberal Democrats’ Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said:

“These statistics prove that yet again, the immigration system is just not working under this Conservative Government.

“British employers are struggling under the burden of the Home Office’s exorbitant fees and pointless red tape. The asylum backlog remains sky-high, despite Rishi Sunak’s promises. Returns are still shockingly low.

“It’s time for the Home Secretary to stop grandstanding and finally get serious. That means tackling these failures and creating an immigration system that works for the UK and our economy, while treating everyone with dignity and respect.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

A summary of the latest immigration statistics from the Home Office can be found here. 

Liberal Democrats are calling for a immigration system that works for the UK and our economy, while treating everyone with dignity and respect. This would include:

• Scrapping the arbitrary salary threshold for work visas and creating a truly merit-based system.

• Reinstating the six month service standard to help clear the asylum backlog

• Giving asylum seekers the right to work after waiting for 3 months for a decision.