Asylum Seeker Protests Continue Amid Government's Plan to Speed Up Removal Process

Strategic Insights -

Protesters in the West Midlands and London stood outside hotels housing asylum seekers, amid plans by the Government to establish a fast-track appeals process. The proposed overhaul aims to speed up the removal of individuals who have no right to be in the UK. The protests follow at least 15 arrests on Saturday, with demonstrations continuing yesterday. The Government's plan includes the use of independent adjudicators, rather than judges, to deal with asylum appeals. The backlog of people waiting for an initial decision on their claims has dropped to 90,812, with 32,059 asylum seekers in UK hotels as of the end of June.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Government aims to establish a fast-track appeals process to speed up the removal of individuals who have no right to be in the UK.
  • The proposed overhaul includes the use of independent adjudicators, rather than judges, to deal with asylum appeals.
  • The backlog of people waiting for an initial decision on their claims has dropped to 90,812.
  • 32,059 asylum seekers were in UK hotels as of the end of June.
  • The Refugee Council's Imran Hussain stated that getting initial decisions right first time speeds up the entire process, allowing people to leave hotels earlier.
  • The Labour Government has promised to end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers by 2029.
  • Official figures released earlier this month showed 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
  • There are approximately 51,000 asylum appeals waiting to be heard, taking on average over a year to reach a decision.

Statistics:

  • 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025.
  • The highest number of asylum applications for any 12-month period since 2001.
  • 90,812 people are waiting for an initial decision on their asylum claims.
  • 32,059 asylum seekers were in UK hotels as of the end of June.
  • 51,000 asylum appeals are waiting to be heard, taking on average over a year to reach a decision.
  • The Labour Government aims to end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers by 2029.

Sources:

  • Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and official figures released earlier this month.
  • A statement from the Refugee Council's Imran Hussain.
  • A report detailing the Government's plan to speed up the asylum appeals process.