By Yoohyun Son
From 2022 to 2023, the UK population grew by about one percent, to 68.3 million. Net international migration was the key contributing factor which accounted for this in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This fact has proved extremely divisive in British politics and in the 2024 election as the Conservative Party and the burgeoning Reform UK proposed hard-line policies to curb these migration levels. But as this demographic shift accelerates, the most important question for the British government is whether the UK is effectively prepared for the challenges and opportunities that come with such growth.
Immigration has been one of the most contentious issues in British politics for a number of years now. In 2016, tighter border control was one of the key issues on which the Brixteers successfully campaigned, yet eight years later it seems the problems have only grown in stature. There are a number of reasons why Britain has become such a concentrated immigratory destination. Certainly, in part, high immigration rates testify to the opportunities Britain has to offer in terms of the job market, education, and quality of life. This is a definite pull-factor in mass immigration from India, Nigeria, and China, specifically. However rising immigration rates in recent years have also very much been a consequence of citizens being pushed out of their home countries on account of conflict, rather than being pulled in to Britain on account of its opportunities. Conflict in the Middle East particularly has influenced this, as we see an increasing number of dangerous ‘small-boats’ crossing the English Channel with asylum seekers predominantly from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Syria, and Iran.
While the UK has long positioned itself as a leader on the international stage, its approach to asylum seekers reveals troubling inconsistencies. Many who arrive in Britain are fleeing to escape persecution in their home countries, some endure rape, torture, or abuse by traffickers on their journey in search of safety – only to face an uncertain welcome. The number of asylum seekers who have died in the care of the Home Office has more than doubled in the last year. Data reveals the rise in deaths by suicide as at least 8 people took their own lives while waiting for their asylum applications in 2023. Charities warn that the treatment of asylum seekers in the UK has adversely affected the health of an already vulnerable group of people.
For many, the Conservative Party’s Rwanda programme – which set out to deport undocumented immigrants to Rwanda on account of its supposed safety – was seen as a significant step in the wrong direction for the treatment of asylum seekers. Although Labour’s winning manifesto from July of this year pledged to dismantle this policy, immigration debates remain front and centre in both domestic and international politics. The Refugee Council found nearly 120,000 people were awaiting case processing with 3,000 set to be granted asylum by the Labour government. Figures show that the asylum backlog is 59,000 cases lower than if the government had continued with the policy. It’s clear the government must do more than scratch the surface – urgent reforms to streamline asylum processing is essential. Placing plans to reform the asylum legal framework and improve the decision-making process; preventing further cost and chaos being created by the growing backlog of asylum appeals; expanding safe routes for refugees to reach the UK have all been suggested as feasible ways to support asylum seekers if policymakers commit to reform. What we need to see is the government taking immediate action instead of wishful thinking that asylum seekers can survive in a system that is “setting them up to fail”.
It is important that people seeking asylum feel secure and confident about their prospects in Britain. And in doing so, ending the use of asylum hotels should be one of the first steps to ensuring a smoother transition. Even reducing the length of stay in hotels to 35 days can hugely benefit their quality-of-life. Hotels for asylum seekers can lead to the risk of abuse and harassment from far-right groups, so minimising the potential harm is necessary. Moreover, reviewing the type of provisions and services which people have access to whilst in hotels can support this. Appropriate and nutritious food, access to appropriate clothing and other essentials, transport and communication are basic amenities that have been continuously overlooked by the government. These are not a luxury but a minimum standard of care.
The UK is not alone in navigating the challenges of migration. It’s possible to look to other nations which have proved more effective in their immigration policy to find a blueprint from which Westminster can operate. We can turn to Spain, for example, whose government has adopted a more progressive stance on immigration, viewing it as a stride towards economic growth. Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, recently read a Venezuelan newspaper article to parliament about a battered boat that had just arrived on the coast of the South American country with 106 migrants on board. Sánchez delivered a strong defence of migration for both humanitarian and reasons, marking a rare turn in Spain’s parliament. Unlike its other European counterparts, Spain seems to present a different approach through the reforms by aiming to simplify bureaucracy, making it easier for people to obtain work and residence permits and facilitate family reunification. Of course, the circumstances of immigration and the boundaries of viable policy differ from country to country. Nonetheless, taking a cue from other governments which have more successfully navigated immigration crises could help stabilise the British situation and combat the issue of vocal minorities shaping the debate
The prospects of improved immigratory policy looks uncertain as the new Labour government hasn’t shown clear signs of being able to enact successful policy thus far. Instead, the government has continued to house asylum seekers into hotels in Berkshire and Greater Manchester, despite its manifesto pledge not to. While there is no quick fix, taking a U-turn is not the way forward. Of course, foreign wars and political turmoil at large play an important role in shaping the situation in the UK. But still, much comes down to whether the government can successfully patch up the broken asylum system to enact progressive immigration policies. It’s time for the UK to move beyond wishful thinking and take meaningful steps toward an asylum system that focuses on integration. A mature approach to immigration will require policymakers to embrace a pragmatic and humane approach.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own, and may not reflect the opinions of The St Andrews Economist.
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