UK sets 24-week target for asylum appeals to speed up deportations
The UK is introducing a 24-week target for deciding certain asylum and immigration appeals, in a move aimed at speeding up the removal of people whose claims are rejected.From this week, the First-tier Tribunal will be expected to hear new appeals within 24 weeks involving non-detained foreign national offenders and people receiving asylum support and accommodation.The target applies to cases submitted from August 12. The average waiting time for an asylum appeal decision currently stands at 67 weeks, according to the Home Office.
More than 150,000 appeals waiting
The government estimates that more than 150,000 appeals are currently awaiting a hearing.Officials said reducing the backlog would help resolve cases more quickly and could reduce the amount spent housing asylum seekers in taxpayer-funded accommodation.The government estimates the changes could generate savings of £6.9 billion.“For too long, asylum and immigration appeals have been plagued by delays, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill while cases drag on for months and sometimes years,” UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum Anna Turley said.“This new 24-week target will see cases resolved faster, reduce reliance on taxpayer-funded accommodation and speed up the removal of those with no right to be in the UK,” she added.
Indians have lowest asylum grant rate
The latest Home Office figures show that Indian nationals had an asylum grant rate of 1% over the past year, the lowest among the nationalities listed.By comparison, nationals of Sudan had a 93% grant rate, followed by Eritrea at 87%.The government says faster decisions will make it easier to remove people whose appeals fail, while reducing the time they spend in the asylum support system.
Government plans wider appeals reform
The Home Office acknowledged that the new target alone will not clear the existing backlog.An Immigration and Asylum Bill currently before Parliament would establish a new Independent Immigration Appeals Authority (IIAA) to create what the government describes as a faster and simpler appeals process.The new body would initially operate alongside the First-tier Tribunal before gradually taking on new cases.Independent adjudicators would be able to prioritise cases considered particularly urgent or in the public interest, including cases involving high-harm foreign national offenders and what the government describes as questionable human rights claims.
More tribunal capacity planned
The government is also increasing the number of sitting days available to immigration and asylum judges.The First-tier Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber is expected to have 19% more sitting days this year than it did in 2024-25.The additional capacity is intended to allow more appeals to be heard and help reduce the backlog.
Asylum accommodation costs remain an issue
The reform comes as the government faces continued pressure over the cost and availability of accommodation for asylum seekers.The Labour government says the number of asylum seekers housed in taxpayer-funded hotels has fallen by 35% over the past year.It also says overall asylum support costs have dropped by £1 billion since the July 2024 general election.The government has pledged to close all asylum hotels by the end of the current Parliament. The Home Office says fewer than 170 hotels are now being used, compared with a peak of around 400 in 2023.A government spokesperson said efforts were also under way to distribute asylum accommodation more evenly across the country while working with local authorities to address the impact on communities.
