The backlog of immigration appeals waiting to be heard has risen sharply, with more than 150,000 cases now before the First-tier Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber.
Official figures show the chamber’s outstanding caseload increased by 68 per cent to 152,000 in the year to March 2026. Appeals relating to asylum and protection accounted for more than half of all cases lodged.
The rise follows a surge in refusals as the Home Office continued its programme to clear older asylum claims. The Ministry of Justice said receipts at the tribunal increased by 49 per cent during 2025/26, reaching 118,000, while the number of cases disposed of rose by 39 per cent to 57,000.
However, the increase in new appeals continued to outstrip the tribunal’s ability to deal with them. The average time taken to clear an appeal reached 61 weeks, up from the previous year, while asylum and protection cases took an average of 67 weeks.
The figures are likely to add to pressure on Labour ministers, who have promised to reduce the use of taxpayer-funded asylum accommodation and speed up the removal of people whose claims have been rejected.
Government plans overhaul of asylum appeals
The Government has announced plans for a new Independent Immigration Appeals Authority, which is expected to begin hearing cases from late 2027. Ministers say the body will create a single route for appeals and prevent repeated claims from delaying removals.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the existing system was “overwhelmed” and claimed some people were lodging vexatious appeals to frustrate their removal. The Government has said the new authority will remain independent and will prioritise cases involving serious offenders and claims considered clearly without merit.
In the meantime, sitting days in the First-tier Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber are due to increase by 19 per cent compared with 2024/25. A 24-week target has also been introduced for certain asylum appeals, including cases involving people receiving asylum support.
Tribunal leaders have warned that asylum appeals are among the most complex cases handled by immigration judges, often involving detailed evidence of persecution, torture and family separation. They have also pointed to the growing number of appellants representing themselves, which can lengthen hearings and place further demands on the courts.
