The asylum backlog in the UK has hit a new record high as the immigration minister appeared to suggest processing claims faster could encourage more people to come to the country through illegal routes.
A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in following a small boat incident in the Channel
Immigration minister Robert Jenrick said processing illegal migrants’ claims faster would not reduce the number of people coming into the country Mr Jenrick told broadcasters on Thursday he is “confident” the Government will clear the legacy asylum backlog by the end of the year. The rise in asylum applications waiting for an initial decision is “due to more cases entering the asylum system than receiving initial decisions”, the Home Office said.
Christina Marriott, executive director of strategy and communications for the British Red Cross, described the 172,758 figure as “striking”. He repeated criticism of the Government’s controversial Illegal Migration Bill, saying it will “make things much worse” as no new safe routes will be created, meaning “people will still have to make the deadly Channel crossing”.
The minister replied: “It is not correct, however, to suggest that if you can process illegal migrants’ claims faster that that will reduce the number of people coming into the country. In all likelihood it’ll lead to an increase.”
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