Britain’s asylum system is struggling under mounting pressure and risks repeating past mistakes, according to a critical report from a cross-party committee of MPs.
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The report, published on Friday by the UK's public accounts committee, said the asylum system was “failing to cope” and described its findings as “disturbing”. MPs warned that government efforts remained focused on short-term solutions rather than a long-term strategy.
Concerns Over Control and Oversight
Committee chairman Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said control of the asylum system had been “all but lost”, blaming a lack of coordination and a reactive approach to managing growing pressures.
He said asylum seekers were being left either waiting indefinitely for decisions or disappearing from official oversight altogether. The report criticised what it called a “directionless bureaucracy” that was shifting problems between different parts of the system rather than resolving them.
One of the committee’s strongest criticisms concerned failed asylum seekers whose claims had been rejected. MPs said it was “shocking and unacceptable” that the Home Office could not account for all of these individuals and therefore could not say with certainty who remained in the country.
The committee recommended a complete overhaul of monitoring arrangements and urged ministers to explain how they would locate those no longer in contact with authorities, tackle illegal employment and penalise employers who break the rules.
Rising Costs and Hotel Contracts
The report examined government data collection, accommodation management and spending on asylum support.
In the 2024–25 financial year, the Home Office spent around £4.9 billion on the asylum system. Of that total, £3.4 billion went towards accommodation and support for asylum seekers.
MPs called for a full review of hotel contracts used to house asylum seekers, saying the government should assess whether current profit levels for contractors are justified.
Government Defends Reforms
A Home Office spokesperson said the findings reinforced the need for reforms that are already being implemented.
Earlier this year, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced changes including plans for people granted asylum to receive temporary protection that would be reviewed every 30 months.
Political opponents offered differing interpretations of the report. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said more than 73,000 migrants had crossed the English Channel since Labour entered government and argued that the system for removing those without a right to remain was breaking down.
Meanwhile, Max Wilkinson, the Liberal Democrats’ home affairs spokesperson, said the government had failed to repair an asylum system that he said had been left dysfunctional by previous Conservative administrations.
Mixed Performance Indicators
Despite the committee’s concerns, some official indicators have shown improvement.
Home Office figures released in February showed asylum applications fell by 4% in 2025, even as arrivals on small boats increased by 13%.
The backlog of unresolved asylum claims dropped to 64,426, its lowest level since 2020. The number of asylum seekers housed in hotels also fell by 19% to 30,657 as more people were moved into longer-term accommodation.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 5 June 2026
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