Labour’s Asylum Backlog Tops 90,000 Cases for First Time

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 11, 2026

The UK currently has over 90,000 asylum appeal cases pending, a 51% increase from the previous year, as rejected seekers increasingly challenge Home Office decisions in court. This growing backlog, amid rising migration arrivals and stretched immigration resources, has prompted calls for reforms including the creation of an Independent Immigration Appeals Authority to speed up case processing.

The backlog of asylum cases awaiting appeal hearings in the United Kingdom has surpassed 90,000 for the first time, according to recent data from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). As of the end of June, 90,341 appeals were pending before immigration judges, marking a 51% increase compared with the same period a year earlier, when 59,925 cases were awaiting resolution.

The rising figures reflect a shift in case management, as rejected asylum seekers increasingly turn to the courts to challenge Home Office decisions. This backlog growth follows government efforts after the last general election to address the mounting number of unresolved asylum claims. The MoJ attributed the increase to ongoing initiatives aimed at clearing a legacy of older asylum claims.

The broader immigration court system is also experiencing significant pressure. Overall, pending cases across all immigration appeals—including human rights and European Economic Area free movement cases—have climbed to 155,798, a 47% increase year on year. The average wait time for appeals to be processed stands at approximately 65 weeks, though deportation and citizenship deprivation appeals take notably longer, averaging just over two years (105 weeks).

Despite the backlog increases, there are some indications the demands on the system may be stabilizing. The number of new cases entering the queue between April and June decreased by 20% compared to the previous year, totaling around 11,500 new appeals. Meanwhile, the volume of cases resolved by the lower immigration tribunal increased by 43% to over 8,700 during the same period.

Political responses have highlighted differing perspectives on the issue. Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy criticized the government’s handling, stating that the immigration backlog has more than doubled under the current administration and describing the courts as a "holding pen" that delays enforcement actions. Timothy accused what he termed “lawfare” of impeding effective immigration control efforts.

A Home Office spokesman acknowledged the challenges presented by the backlog and emphasized the need for further reforms. The spokesman cited ongoing progress in addressing the case volume and underscored the government’s plan to introduce an Independent Immigration Appeals Authority designed to streamline the appeals process.

The backlog news coincides with recent developments on the south coast, where migrant arrivals continue amid heightened public and official attention. Over the weekend, a vessel carrying approximately 120 people arrived in Portsmouth, contributing to a total of 625 migrants reaching the UK by sea on Sunday alone, underscoring the ongoing pressure on the asylum system.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.