British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak proudly announced on Tuesday that he had successfully met his target to clear the country's "legacy" asylum backlog by the end of 2023. Additionally, he revealed a significant accomplishment in reducing the arrivals of illegal migrants via small boats by 36 per cent, defying the trend seen in many parts of Europe.
According to the UK Home Office, a total of 112,000 asylum cases were processed in the past year, surpassing Sunak's initial target of addressing the 92,000 applications pending at the end of 2022. The government attributed this success to fundamental changes in the decision-making process and improved efficiency, resulting in the highest annual number of "substantive" asylum decisions since 2002.
Sunak emphasized his determination to alleviate the burden of illegal migration on the British people, highlighting actions taken to prevent illegal entries via boats, return hotels to local communities, and discourage illegal immigration. He expressed satisfaction with clearing the legacy asylum backlog, saving taxpayer money, reducing strain on public services, and ensuring proper support for the most vulnerable.
While acknowledging the achievement, Sunak emphasized the need for continued focus on his commitment to halt illegal boat arrivals and initiate flights to Rwanda for processing asylum seekers. The Rwanda plan involves transporting asylum seekers to the East African country during the application process, with parliamentary approval expected in the coming weeks.
Despite the government's claims of success, the Opposition Labour Party criticized the announcement, accusing the government of misleading the public. The Labour Party's shadow immigration minister, Stephen Kinnock, pointed out a significant increase in the asylum backlog under the Tories.
However, the Home Office defended its actions, stating that all cases in the "legacy backlog" had been reviewed, with 112,000 decisions made overall. The government highlighted its efforts to disrupt and deter small boat arrivals, resulting in a 36 per cent decrease in individuals arriving by small boats and a 46 per cent decrease in the number of vessels crossing the English Channel.
As Prime Minister Sunak gears up for a general election in the coming year, curbing migration figures, both legal and illegal, remains a key target for the government. The Home Office cited various achievements in 2023, including the return of over 24,000 individuals with no right to be in the UK, numerous arrests related to illegal activities, and increased clampdowns on illegal working.
(With Agency Inputs)
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