The United Kingdom received a record-breaking number of asylum applications in 2024, with government data revealing that a total of 108,138 individuals sought refuge within its borders. This marked the highest number of asylum claims in any 12-month period since official records began in 2001 and represented a significant 18% increase from the 91,811 applications submitted in 2023.
The latest figures underscore the mounting pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration to address ongoing migration challenges. Starmer’s Labour-led government has found itself navigating a delicate political landscape as debates over immigration intensify. The rising numbers come amid increasing scrutiny from opposition parties and growing influence from far-right movements, such as Reform UK, which garnered approximately four million votes in the most recent general election.