Since taking office, the government has successfully repatriated over 35,000 individuals without legal authorization to stay, including more than 5,200 foreign national offenders. The number of enforced returns has reached its highest point since 2018, with detentions resulting in almost triple the returns compared to 2022. Efforts are being made to rectify the challenges left by the previous administration.
The Home Secretary has emphasized the need to close all asylum hotels nationwide by the end of the current parliamentary term. However, this closure must be managed carefully to avoid creating issues for local councils and other regions. The government is contesting a recent ruling concerning the Bell Hotel in Epping as part of this process.
The count of asylum hotels has decreased from a peak of 400 in 2023, costing £9 million daily, to just over 200 currently in operation at a reduced daily expense of £5.5 million. During the first half of this year, the number of asylum seekers accommodated in hotels has dropped by 6,000, marking a 16% reduction.
Overall, asylum-related expenses have decreased by 11%, resulting in savings of nearly £1 billion in hotel expenses last year. This progress reflects the government’s commitment to addressing inefficiencies accumulated over the past 14 years.
To combat people smuggling activities exploiting the immigration system, measures are being implemented to strengthen border security and expedite deportations. Reforms include streamlining asylum appeals and establishing an independent body to hasten decision-making processes and appeal considerations, ultimately reducing taxpayer costs and resolving cases promptly.
International collaborations have been bolstered to combat organized immigration crime, with new partnerships established with Bulgaria, Romania, and India for intelligence sharing and anti-trafficking efforts. Operational agreements, including the UK-France treaty, have led to the apprehension of illegal migrants and their prospective return to France, disrupting smuggling operations.
Initiatives like the Deport Now, Appeal Later scheme and agreements with countries like Iraq demonstrate a firm stance on repatriating individuals lacking legal rights to remain in the UK. The government is also intensifying efforts through the Border Security Command and the National Crime Agency to target smuggling networks and expedite deportations from prisons.
Enforcement actions against illegal working have increased by 50%, signaling a crackdown on criminal activities. Long-term strategies, such as the Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill, aim to apply stringent laws to combat organized immigration crime and prevent a return to past challenges.
Public concerns regarding the impact of illegal migration are acknowledged, and the government’s comprehensive approach, from enhancing returns to combating criminal networks, aims to bring about substantial changes. By prioritizing swift decision-making, removal of unauthorized individuals, and the eventual closure of asylum hotels, the government is committed to delivering significant and enduring improvements to border security and immigration control.
