The backlog of asylum seekers awaiting removal from Britain has risen by more than 5,000 in a year.
More than 32,000 were “subject to removal” at the end of June, according to Home Office figures. The number sent home fell just under a quarter, from 5,433 to 4,118.
Keith Vaz, chairman of the all-party group on immigration and visas, said: “These numbers are unacceptable and an embarrassment to the Home Office. Nothing undermines confidence in the immigration system more than failure to remove once a decision has been made. It gives rise to false hopes and generates further baseless appeals. The Home Office should get a grip of the situation.”
Enforced removals of failed asylum seekers has fallen from almost 15,000 in 2004 to 2,365