Refugee Council Warns: Up to 115,000 in Asylum 'Limbo', Costing £6.2bn
The Refugee Council has warned that the number of people in the UK in asylum limbo could reach 115,000 due to new laws and the lack of capacity to return or send them to Rwanda.
This situation could cost the taxpayer £6.2bn on accommodation.
The Illegal Migration Act, which passed last year, has resulted in most asylum seekers not receiving a decision.
The Rwanda scheme, which aims to send some of these individuals to Rwanda, has now become law, but the government has not yet begun flights.
The text discusses the situation of refugees who have arrived in the UK but have been denied access to the asylum system due to new rules.
While some may be sent back to their home country if it is considered safe, the majority are expected to remain in Home Office accommodation.
The Refugee Council warns that only a small proportion of these refugees will be removed anytime soon.
The Home Office's figures show that there have been 2,134 enforced removals since the start of 2024, but there are already tens of thousands of refugees and their dependents in the UK who have been refused access to the asylum system.
The charity's analysis suggests that if 2,000 people are sent to Rwanda this year and 10,000 are returned to their home countries, the UK government would still need to accommodate around 115,000 migrants based on current small boat arrival rates over the past two years.
This projection assumes that the number of small boat arrivals will continue at the same rate, regardless of the Rwanda scheme being implemented.
The Illegal Migration Act, which passed last year, has resulted in most asylum seekers not receiving a decision.
The Rwanda scheme, which aims to send some of these individuals to Rwanda, has now become law, but the government has not yet begun flights.
The text discusses the situation of refugees who have arrived in the UK but have been denied access to the asylum system due to new rules.
While some may be sent back to their home country if it is considered safe, the majority are expected to remain in Home Office accommodation.
The Refugee Council warns that only a small proportion of these refugees will be removed anytime soon.
The Home Office's figures show that there have been 2,134 enforced removals since the start of 2024, but there are already tens of thousands of refugees and their dependents in the UK who have been refused access to the asylum system.
The charity's analysis suggests that if 2,000 people are sent to Rwanda this year and 10,000 are returned to their home countries, the UK government would still need to accommodate around 115,000 migrants based on current small boat arrival rates over the past two years.
This projection assumes that the number of small boat arrivals will continue at the same rate, regardless of the Rwanda scheme being implemented.
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