Clearing the Backlog
Rishi Sunak, the UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer, has started the year with a double-win on small boats, as he announced that the backlog of 92,000 legacy asylum cases has finally been cleared. This accomplishment comes as a significant achievement for the government, as it has been a long-standing issue that needed to be addressed.
Decrease in Channel Crossings
Furthermore, statistics have confirmed that the total number of Channel crossings in 2023 has decreased compared to the previous year, marking the first time ever that such a decline has been observed. In fact, crossings were down by as much as 64% in the final three months of 2023.
Commitment to Tackling Illegal Migration
In a New Year statement of intent, Sunak expressed his determination to end the burden of illegal migration on the British people. However, he emphasized that he is not complacent and remains focused on getting Rwanda flights off the ground by the spring.
Successful Clearance of Backlog
According to the Home Office, a total of 112,000 asylum claims were processed in 2023, with 86,800 resulting in a decision for those in the legacy backlog. Of these decisions, 67% of asylum claims were granted, a decrease from the 76% in 2022. This means that 51,190 migrants were given asylum last year. Additionally, there are still 98,000 remaining asylum claims in the total backlog.
Decrease in Small Boat Arrivals
Annual figures reveal that small boat arrivals in 2023 were 36% lower than in 2022, with 29,437 illegal journeys compared to 45,774. This indicates progress in reducing illegal crossings. Furthermore, crossings in the second half of 2023 fell by 45%, with a sharp 64% decrease in the final quarter compared to the same period in 2022.
Continued Efforts to Address the Issue
While Sunak's plan to implement flights to Rwanda has faced legal challenges, he has highlighted a successful half-billion-pound deal with France to increase beach patrols and returns agreements with countries like Albania. However, Lucy Moreton, head of the immigration services union, cautioned that 2023 may see more crossings than last year due to various factors, including bad weather.
Government's Commitment and Criticism
Sunak emphasized that more needs to be done to address the issue of illegal arrivals, and the government is committed to taking further action. The Home Office also reported a 68% increase in illegal work raids compared to the previous year. However, former immigration minister Robert Jenrick believes that the government should focus on stopping illegal arrivals instead of just managing the symptoms of the problem. Stephen Kinnock, Labour's shadow immigration minister, criticized the Tories for the significant increase in the asylum backlog under their leadership.
