Data released by Britain’s Home Office has revealed that the “Conservative” government granted asylum to a record number of applicants in 2023. The government granted 62,336 people refugee status or similar protection — over a 300 percent increase from the 18,185 granted asylum in 2022 and a 475 percent increase over the 13,103 granted asylum in 2021. In addition to the record number of asylum seekers, the government also issued 1.4 million visas.
By comparison, net migration was at around 300,000 people per year in the run-up to the Brexit vote in 2016. Successive “Conservative” governments have only worsened this situation, leading to fresh calls for a change in government, and a poll boost for Brexit leader Nigel Farage’s Reform Party.
Conservative MP and former Home Secretary Suella Braverman slammed the figures as a “national disaster,” saying the current levels of asylum and immigration “cannot go on” and will leave the UK “unrecognizable” if allowed to continue.
“1.4 million people were granted visas here last year. Asylum approvals at a record high. Work & student visa numbers, including many dependents, are appalling. This cannot go on: we don’t have enough homes, GPs or schools to support this level,” Braverman posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“The [Prime Minister] must adopt policies I pushed for that would have prevented this national disaster: we need a cap on overall numbers. Britain will be unrecognisable if this carries on. It’s not what the British people, including me, voted for.”
The figures are significantly higher than previously reported by the government. Last year, it was revealed that the Conservative-led government also deported the lowest-ever number of failed asylum seekers. In January, an Afghan asylum seeker who was denied asylum twice before finally succeeding perpetrated a vicious chemical attack in London, injuring 12 people.
The PM must adopt policies I pushed for that would have prevented this national disaster: we need a cap on overall numbers.
Britain will be unrecognisable if this carries on.
It’s not what the British people, including me, voted for. 2/2
— Suella Braverman MP (@SuellaBraverman) February 29, 2024