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What my crowded house taught me about immigration: UK's asylum appeals backlog

9 0
08.04.2026

New figures show the UK’s asylum appeals backlog has almost doubled in a year.

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It’s clear that our current system is under unsustainable strain. At the same time, in my own home, I see the challenges and rewards of welcoming people into a space that already feels full.

There are a lot of people who live in my home. Some are biologically related to me, some are friends, and some were once strangers who, over time, became family. Our house, like our country, is welcoming to those who need a home, but it is also full.

This is why I have sympathy with people on both sides of the immigration debate. I know what it is like to feel at capacity, and I know the privilege of welcoming strangers into my home. Therefore, when it comes to immigration, I argue for both sanctuary and security.

It doesn’t have to be a binary choice between being "tough" - wanting closed borders, and being "soft" - wanting open borders. Very few of us treat our front doors that way.

Most of us want to be welcoming, hospitable, helpful, and friendly – good neighbours to those in need. But we........

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