Asylum case backlog rises to record high - figures

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16 minutes ago

The backlog of asylum cases in the UK has risen to a new record high, Home Office figures show.

More than 175,000 people were waiting for a decision on whether they will be granted refugee status at the end of June 2023 - up 44% from last year.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has set a target of clearing the so-called legacy backlog by the end of the year.

Since his promise in December 2022, Home Office officials have cleared on average 2,061 cases a month.