122,000 wait over a year in asylum claim

TENS of thousands of refugees are waiting more than a year for a decision on their asylum claim.

June’s total of 122,206 has almost quadrupled from 29,522 in 2017.

It also nearly doubled from 64,891 in late 2020.

Home Office data obtained by the Refugee Council revealed 725, including 155 kids, had waited over five years.

Charity chief Enver Solomon said: “Immediate action should be taken to address the huge backlog.”

The asylum system cost £2billion last year after a new high in applications.

The Home Office said it has hiked caseworkers by 80% to more than 1,000 to help fight record delays.