The number of asylum seekers waiting for an appeal hearing in the UK has risen sharply, reaching nearly 42,000 by the end of 2024, according to the Refugee Council.
This marks a nearly 500% increase in two years, driven by legislative changes and efforts to accelerate initial refugee decisions.
As a growing number of rejected applicants contest their cases, the appeals process is becoming increasingly strained, leading to prolonged uncertainty for thousands of individuals.
The backlog is also contributing to continued reliance on hotel accommodation for asylum seekers, with costs projected to reach £1.5 billion this year.
Sharp Rise in Appeals as Rejection Rates Increase
The rise in appeals follows a significant drop in the UK’s asylum grant rate, which fell to 47% in 2024, compared to 67% in 2023 and 75% in 2022, according to the Ministry of Justice.
More cases are being refused due to the Nationality and Borders Act, introduced by the previous Conservative government, which raised the standard of proof for refugee claims.
According to the Refugee Council, Afghan nationals have been particularly affected, with only four in ten granted asylum in the second half of 2024—compared to nearly all applicants in previous years. Many of those rejected are now appealing, contributing to the growing backlog.
The Home Office has defended its approach, stating that it has doubled the number of initial asylum decisions and increased funding for additional court sitting days.
A government spokesperson said:
“The asylum system we inherited was not fit for purpose, which is why we are taking urgent action to restart asylum processing and clear the backlog of cases, which will save the taxpayer an estimated £4bn over the next two years, and we remain determined to end the use of asylum hotels over time to cut the unacceptably high costs of asylum accommodation.”
Impact on Accommodation and Government Response
With appeals taking an average of 46 weeks to resolve, tens of thousands of asylum seekers remain in temporary accommodation, adding pressure to the system. According to official figures, 38,079 people were housed in hotels by the end of 2024, a cost that could reach £1.5 billion this year if numbers remain unchanged.
In response, the government is planning legal reforms to introduce a mandatory 24-week deadline for refugee appeals, aiming to halve the current timeframe. Additionally, the Ministry of Justice is recruiting approximately 1,000 judges and tribunal members to expedite hearings.
However, legal experts and refugee organisations have raised concerns about rushed decision-making. Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, has called for more accurate first-time decisions to prevent further backlogs.
“Resolving asylum cases well will help reduce costs and the number of people trapped in limbo, stuck in hotels unable to work or move on with their lives.
The use of hotels in communities across the country has become a damaging symbol of government failure and a flashpoint for community tensions. There needs to be a clear plan to stopping the use of hotels by the end of this year,” he said.
