## Analyzing Government Commitments on Illegal Immigration and Asylum: Are They Keeping Their Promises?
Recently, the focus of public discourse has been on the UK government’s efforts to tackle illegal immigration and the asylum system. The Prime Minister has positioned this as a priority, with a clear directive to “restore order” within the asylum framework. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has also made headlines with his assertion to “smash the gangs” involved in people smuggling. Previous commitments from former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak included a promise to “stop the boats,” yet the reality paints a more complicated picture.
Despite these lofty promises, statistics indicate that small boat crossings have surged, hitting unprecedented levels this year. Recently, approximately 800 migrants arrived on a single day alone. This stark data has led to an urgent examination of the effectiveness of government pledges, particularly focusing on key issues such as the elimination of asylum hotels and the return of failed asylum seekers.
### The Pledge to End Asylum Hotels
One significant undertaking was Labour’s commitment to “end asylum hotels,” pledging billions in taxpayer savings by doing so. The current government aims to complete this task by the end of the parliamentary term, set for 2029, unless an early election occurs. However, data acquired through a Freedom of Information request reveals the troubling fact that the number of hotels utilized for housing asylum seekers increased from 212 in July to 218 by December, accommodating roughly 38,000 individuals.
The reliance on hotels showcases not just a logistical issue but financial burden as well; recent estimates indicate the cost to the taxpayer for using these facilities is approximately £8 million daily. The rise in numbers of hotels is symptomatic of a broader issue—specifically, a gap between the influx of arrivals and the accommodations needed to manage them.
### Progress on ‘Smashing the Gangs’
The government has stated that, as of mid-May, there were 12,699 small boat arrivals, representing a one-third increase from the previous year. One of their strategies to address this challenge is to disrupt the human trafficking networks that facilitate these crossings. However, there is ambiguity about how progress will be measured or when these goals will be realized. The Home Office has noted that data on the disruption of criminal gangs is being collected, yet concrete figures are lacking.
Under a financial deal, the UK has also allocated about £476 million to France over three years to help manage and curb these crossings collaboratively. French authorities reported an estimated 17,379 individuals prevented from migrating between July and December 2024, although the outcomes or intentions of these individuals remain unclear.
### Clearing the Asylum Backlog
The current government has committed to addressing the backlog of asylum claims—those waiting for a decision regarding their refugee status. Since summer 2024, there has been a reported 50% increase in decisions regarding asylum requests. However, despite the uptick in decisions, the backlog itself has continued to grow due to an influx of asylum applications, marking record numbers across the previous year.
This backlog has also extended to appeals following rejected claims; from about 33,000 cases in June 2024 to nearly 42,000 by December—a record high in recent times.
### Increasing Returns of Unauthorized Immigrants
In aiming to increase the return of individuals without the legal right to remain in the UK, the government has initiated a new enforcement unit bolstered by 1,000 additional staff. Reports indicate a total of 29,867 returns were logged from July 2024 to May 2025, reflecting a 12% increase from the previous year. However, only around 7,893 individuals were forcibly removed, raising questions about the effectiveness of these measures.
Promised outcomes are often overshadowed by rhetoric; government claims of “deporting” individuals do not always align with the reality of voluntary departures that happen without official support or knowledge.
### Conclusion: A Mixed Record
The analysis presents a mixed record regarding the government’s performance on its pledges concerning illegal immigration and asylum. While there are indications of progress in some areas, such as the increase in asylum decisions and the formation of a new returns unit, other promises such as the ending of asylum hotels and effectively targeting smuggling gangs remain unfulfilled.
Current realities complicate the government’s narrative—public perception is still shaped by the increasing number of arrivals and the persistent backlog within the asylum system. As various stakeholders await comprehensive reforms and their outcomes, it remains essential for the government to provide clearer metrics and timelines to track progress moving forward.