64,426 asylum seekers waiting for a decision

64,426 people waiting for the Home Office to make an initial decision on their asylum claim. As at Q4 2025.

The Home Office processed 39,395 decisions in the quarter. But 20,725 new claims arrived. The gap is closing — but the backlog is still enormous.

Every person in that queue costs money. Hotel beds. Support payments. Legal aid. Translation services.

The grant rate? 33.5% of initial decisions resulted in a grant of protection. 52.3% were refused. The rest were withdrawn or administratively closed.

The backlog IS the cost driver. Speed up decisions, cut the bill.