BRITAIN saw the biggest jump in asylum claims in Europe last year — with figures showing applications soared to a record 108,000.
The 28 per cent rise on 2023 came as France and Germany saw asylum numbers fall, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
It marks the highest UK total ever recorded, surpassing the 103,000 claims lodged in 2002.
The OECD also found 44,000 people tried to enter Britain illegally in 2024 – mostly across the Channel in small boats – up from 37,000 the year before.
More than 10,000 asylum seekers came from Pakistan, with Afghanistan and Iran each accounting for over 8,000.
The figures are a blow to Sir Keir Starmer, who has seen more than 60,000 small boat crossings since entering Number 10.
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Reform UK’s Lee Anderson blasted: “Decades of failed Tory and Labour governments are to blame.
“They continue to posture on immigration while refusing to end the endless incentives that draw more arrivals.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “Labour have lost control of the border.
“They have torn up every deterrent the last Conservative government put in place.”
Downing Street yesterday said they recognise “there is more to do”.
But they pointed to asylum-related returns increasing by 28 per cent and asylum costs being down by 15 per cent.
