The government has successfully repatriated over 35,000 individuals who lacked legal authorization to stay in the country, including more than 5,200 foreign national offenders, since taking office. The enforced returns have reached their highest level since 2018, with detentions seeing a nearly threefold increase since 2022. Efforts are being made to address the challenges left by the previous administration in a systematic manner.
The Home Secretary emphasized the agreement with communities nationwide to close all asylum hotels by the end of the current Parliament. However, this closure process must be carefully managed across regions to avoid disruptions to other areas and local authorities, leading the government to challenge a recent ruling on the Bell Hotel in Epping.
The number of asylum hotels has decreased from a peak of 400 in 2023, resulting in a significant reduction in daily costs from £9 million to £5.5 million. In the first half of this year, the occupancy of asylum hotels has been reduced by 6,000 individuals, marking a 16% decline.
Overall, asylum-related expenses have dropped by 11%, saving nearly £1 billion in hotel expenditures last year. These achievements reflect the government’s commitment to rectifying shortcomings and inefficiencies accumulated over the past 14 years.
Efforts are underway to combat people smuggling networks that exploit the immigration system, jeopardizing border security and delaying deportation processes. To address these issues, the government is implementing reforms to streamline asylum appeals and establish an independent body to expedite decision-making and review processes, leading to quicker resolution of cases and reduced costs.
In addition to domestic reforms, the government is bolstering international collaborations to combat organized immigration crime. Agreements with countries like Bulgaria, Romania, India, and Vietnam aim to enhance intelligence sharing and dismantle criminal networks at their roots, while recent treaties, including the UK-France agreement, have enabled the detention and prospective removal of illegal migrants.
Further initiatives, such as the Deport Now, Appeal Later scheme and agreements with countries like Iraq, are being pursued to facilitate the repatriation of individuals with no legal right to remain in the UK. Enhanced enforcement measures, including the Border Security Command and increased deportations from prisons, are being implemented to target illegal activities and safeguard national security.
The government’s comprehensive strategy includes cracking down on illegal working, strengthening border controls, and introducing legislative measures to combat organized immigration crime effectively. By prioritizing border security and taking decisive actions, the government aims to address public concerns regarding illegal migration, streamline asylum processes, and eliminate the reliance on asylum hotels by the end of the current Parliament.