UK Home Office data shows rising returns, faster asylum decisions, and increased enforcement actions
An updated Home Office statistical release on illegal migration in the United Kingdom, issued on 26 April 2024, provides provisional operational data up to the end of March, with early April figures included. This information complements the Prime Minister’s statement made on 22 April 2024 and draws upon internal management data, which may differ slightly from forthcoming official releases. Initial datasets tied to the Illegal Migration Act were first issued in April 2023 and have since been revised to aid parliamentary scrutiny.
Between 1 January and 21 April 2024, provisional figures recorded 6,265 small boat arrivals (crossing the English Channel)—an increase of 24% compared to the 5,049 detected during the same period in 2023. Vietnamese and Afghan nationals comprised 40% of these arrivals, with 1,266 and 1,216 individuals respectively, marking them as the two predominant nationalities this year. Vietnamese arrivals surged tenfold year-on-year, now representing 20% of total arrivals compared to less than 3% previously. Afghan nationals accounted for 19%, broadly consistent with the 22% share observed last year. Arrivals of all other nationalities slightly decreased, dropping by 1% to 3,783 compared with 3,826 in 2023.
Across the 12 months to 21 April 2024, there were 30,653 small boat arrivals—down 33% from 45,755 recorded in 2022. Vietnamese arrivals rose dramatically to 2,515 from 509 the previous year, reflecting a nearly fivefold increase, while Afghan nationals continued to represent 19% of arrivals, numbering 5,872. Other nationalities accounted for 22,266 arrivals during the same period.
Between 15 April 2023 and 14 April 2024, 129,407 initial asylum decisions were issued, of which 93,431 were substantive—56,834 grants and 36,597 refusals—resulting in a 61% grant rate, the highest annual total of substantive asylum decisions in over two decades. The backlog of pending asylum decisions dropped by 39%, from 135,959 at the close of 2022 to 83,154 in April 2024, showing a significant reduction of 52,805 cases.
The use of hotels for housing asylum seekers declined notably, from 398 on 22 October 2023 to 267 by 7 April 2024. At the end of 2023, 45,768 asylum seekers were accommodated in hotels, and this number has continued to decrease throughout early 2024, according to provisional Home Office data.
Enforcement activity has intensified markedly. In the year ending 31 March 2024, there were 6,720 illegal working visits—up 59% from 4,237 the previous year and 79% higher than in 2022. Civil penalties for illegal employment also rose sharply: 1,676 fines worth £30.49 million were issued, up from 1,105 penalties totaling £19.49 million, representing increases of 52% and 56% respectively.
Returns of individuals with no right to remain have accelerated as well. In the 12 months ending 31 March 2024, 26,027 returns were completed, including 5,976 Albanian nationals. This marks a 55% overall rise in returns compared to the previous year and more than double the number of Albanian nationals repatriated. Enforced removals rose by 69%, from 4,159 in the year ending March 2023 to 7,030 in March 2024—almost double the figure recorded in 2022.
This snapshot underscores a decisive shift in the UK’s migration management: fewer hotel accommodations, faster asylum decisions, and heightened enforcement, supported by ongoing efforts to uphold border security and ensure the lawful operation of the asylum and immigration system.
31st October 2025