Pakistanis constituted the largest group of asylum seekers in the United Kingdom in 2024, surpassing previous years’ trends which saw higher numbers from countries like Syria and Iran. This surge comes as the UK grapples with a sharp increase in overall asylum applications.

According to an AFP report, the UK government, under the Labour party, has pledged to address the situation by tackling the backlog of applications and reducing reliance on expensive hotel accommodations for asylum seekers. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves announced a £1 billion savings plan aimed at streamlining the asylum process, increasing the processing of appeals, and returning those deemed ineligible.

The number of asylum seekers in the UK tripled in 2024 to 84,200, compared to an average of 27,500 between 2011 and 2020. This increase highlights a significant challenge for the UK’s immigration system. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is also pursuing discussions with unnamed countries to establish “return centers” outside the UK for those who have exhausted their legal options.

While the UK’s asylum applications per capita remain lower than the EU average, the significant rise in recent years, and the prominence of Pakistani nationals among applicants, underscores the need for the UK government to address the underlying causes of this migration. The increase in asylum seekers also reflects a broader trend of increased migration to the UK, particularly via the English Channel.