The United Kingdom immigration landscape experienced notable changes in 2024, with asylum applications reaching an all-time high.
According to data from the UK Home Office, a total of 108,000 asylum requests were recorded, surpassing the previous peak of 103,000 in 2022.
This surge has placed immense pressure on housing resources, with 38,079 asylum seekers accommodated in hotels by the end of December, representing a 30% increase since Labour assumed office in July 2024, as reported by the Financial Times.
Meanwhile, the EU Settlement Scheme, which enables EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals to secure their residency in the UK post-Brexit, has remained active. Home Office records indicate that, as of December 31, 2024, a total of 8.2 million applications had been processed.
Of these, 50% (4.1 million) received settled status, 35% (2.9 million) were granted pre-settled status, while the remaining 15% resulted in alternative outcomes.
Since the scheme’s inception, 6.3 million people have applied, with 26% (1.6 million) submitting at least one repeat application.
Amidst these developments, deportations have also increased significantly. Figures from the Home Office reveal that over 13,000 migrants have been removed since Labour came into power, signaling a tougher stance on illegal migration.
The Times quoted a government spokesperson affirming the administration’s commitment to reducing small boat crossings while maintaining a “fair but firm immigration system.”
While asylum requests soared, work visa approvals saw a sharp decline of 37% in 2024, with only 210,098 visas granted. This drop was most evident in the health and social care sector, which witnessed an 81% reduction, with just 27,174 visas issued.
The decline is largely attributed to restrictive immigration measures implemented by the former Conservative government to curb net migration.
Addressing future policies, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has emphasized the need for businesses to invest in training British workers rather than depending on foreign labour.
“We need to build a system that works for our economy while reducing overall migration,” Reuters quoted him as saying.
In another immigration-related challenge, the Home Office’s transition to digital eVisas encountered setbacks, leaving nearly one million residents without updated documentation after their biometric residence permits expired on December 31, 2024.
To mitigate the issue, the government extended the validity of physical permits until March 31, 2025, granting residents additional time to register for eVisas. A Home Office spokesperson advised,
“We encourage all affected individuals to complete their eVisa registration as soon as possible.”
As the UK government tightens immigration controls, it faces the challenge of balancing economic demands with migration policies.
The simultaneous rise in asylum applications and deportations, coupled with shrinking work visa approvals, underscores the evolving complexity of the nation’s immigration framework.
