Since taking office, over 35,000 individuals without legal permission to stay have been repatriated, including more than 5,200 foreign nationals with criminal records. The number of enforced returns has reached its highest point since 2018, with detentions resulting in almost three times as many returns as in 2022. Efforts are being made to address the challenges left by the previous administration.
The closure of asylum hotels has been advocated by the Home Secretary, with a commitment to complete this process by the end of the current Parliament. However, the closure must be executed in a coordinated manner nationwide to prevent adverse impacts on different regions and local authorities. The government is appealing a recent ruling concerning the Bell Hotel in Epping.
The count of asylum hotels has decreased from a peak of 400 in 2023, significantly reducing daily costs from £9 million to £5.5 million. In the first half of the year, the number of asylum seekers accommodated in hotels has declined by 6,000, representing a 16% decrease.
Overall, asylum-related expenditures have decreased by 11%, resulting in savings of nearly £1 billion in hotel expenses last year. The government’s commitment to rectifying shortcomings from the previous administration has led to these improvements.
Efforts are being intensified to combat illegal immigration facilitated by criminal networks operating near the borders. Measures are being taken to streamline asylum appeals processes by establishing an independent body to expedite decision-making and reduce appeal processing times.
Collaboration with international partners is being strengthened to combat organized immigration crime. New agreements with countries like Bulgaria, Romania, and India aim to enhance intelligence sharing and combat criminal networks at their origins. Partnerships are also being established to prevent dangerous journeys and dismantle trafficking operations.
Recent agreements, such as the UK-France treaty, have resulted in the apprehension of illegal migrants, with deportations to France imminent, weakening the operations of people smuggling gangs. Initiatives like the Deport Now, Appeal Later scheme ensure foreign criminals face appeals while abroad, not within the UK.
Efforts to enhance border security and combat illegal working are ongoing, with Immigration Enforcement teams conducting raids and increasing arrests. Reforms, such as the Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill, seek to apply stringent measures against organized immigration crime to prevent a return to previous inefficiencies.
The government is committed to delivering tangible results by addressing illegal migration comprehensively, from enhancing returns to disrupting criminal networks. By implementing robust strategies and taking decisive actions, the goal is to deter unauthorized entry into the UK, expedite asylum claim decisions, remove individuals without legal rights, and phase out the use of asylum hotels by the end of the current Parliament.