Latest Home Office figures, external show that more than 108,000 people claimed asylum in the UK last year - the highest level since records began in 1979. In total, 10,542 Pakistani nationals claimed asylum - the most of any nationality. Some 2,862 Sri Lankan nationals and 2,841 Nigerian nationals claimed asylum in the same period. The number of UK work and study visas dropped in 2024, compared to the year before. New rules introduced by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a bid to reduce migration levels appear to have contributed to the fall.

Source: The Times May 06, 2025 08:01 UTC