ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
Fury as 8,000 MORE illegal migrants housed in hotels since election despite Labour’s pledge – amid record asylum claims
By last December 112,187 asylum seekers were taking some form of government accommodation and subsistence
MORE than 8,000 extra illegal migrants are in hotels since the election - while asylum claims have hit a record high.
Damning stats also show just THREE per cent of small boat arrivals have been deported since 2018.
2
2
Ministers were tonight urged to find a deterrent to stop the “waves of illegals crossing the Channel” stinging taxpayers for billions.
By last December 112,187 asylum seekers were taking some form of government accommodation and subsistence.
Despite Labour pledging to end hotel use, the number in rooms rose from 29,585 at the end of June to 38,079 at the end of 2024 - costing around £4.5million a day.
Meanwhile asylum claims were up 18 per cent last year at 108,000, surpassing the previous 2002 record of 103,000.
READ MORE ON POLITICS
But the proportion being granted fell from 67 per cent in 2023 to 47 per cent last year in a sign processors are getting tougher.
Labour insists they have also ramped up both enforced and voluntary returns since coming to power.
Yet deportations of small boat migrants remain incredibly low, with just 4,995 sent home over the last six years - a rate of 3 per cent.
France to start intercepting small boats in Channel
FRENCH police will finally start intercepting small boats in the water, their interior minister said last night.
Bruno Retailleau appeared to lift the ban on turning round migrant crossings following pressure from Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
On a visit to Calais yesterday the pair agreed to extend a deal that sees Britain pay France for help stopping illegal migration.
Mr Retailleau said: “We need to rethink our approach so that we can intercept the boats.
“We must be able to intercept them within 300m of the coast.
“They have a naval service, the gendarmerie, and they must be able to intervene in shallow waters.”
He also promised to start work on the long-overdue detention centre Britain paid for under the 2023 deal signed by Rishi Sunak.
Some 162,000 migrants were also granted settled status in Britain last year, which was a third more than 2023 and the highest for 13 years.
Most read in Politics
Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp blasted: “With no deterrent, and an obsession with rewarding criminal migrants with British passports, today’s figures are no surprise.
“Despite promising to end hotel usage for asylum seekers, the numbers have gone up again and they are costing Britons dear. Unchecked immigration, and waves of illegals crossing the Channel.”
Border Minister Dame Angela Eagle hit back: “Over the last six years, legal migration soared, a criminal smuggler industry was allowed to establish itself in the Channel, and the asylum system was broken.
“Through our Plan for Change we’re restoring order to the system and substantially increasing enforcement.
Since July, returns are up to their highest level in half a decade, with 19,000 people with no right to be here removed.
“Enforced returns up 24 per cent and illegal working arrests and visits increased by 38 per cent.”
Topics