UK asylum claims have hit a new record high, surpassing the previous peak set in 2002.

Home Office figures reveal 108,138 people claimed asylum in the year to December 2024.

This unprecedented surge follows an uptick in small boat arrivals across the English Channel in recent years.

The latest statistics show a significant increase in people seeking refuge in Britain, with numbers continuing to rise despite government efforts to reduce migration.

Mark White hit out at Labour's use of terminology

The new figures represent an 18 per cent increase compared to 2023 and almost double the number recorded in 2021.

Small boat arrivals also rose in 2024, with a 25 per cent increase from the previous year.

More than 35,000 small boat migrants crossed the Channel illegally last yearPA

However, the Home Office noted that despite this year-on-year rise, the 2024 figure remains 20 per cent lower than the peak recorded in 2022.

The data shows a clear upward trend in asylum applications despite various policy initiatives aimed at reducing numbers.

Afghans were the most common nationality among small boat arrivals in 2024, accounting for 17 per cent of the total.

This represents roughly 5,900 of the 37,000 people who crossed the Channel last year.

Mark White reacted to the latest stats on GB News

The Home Office data shows Afghan nationals made up the largest single group seeking this route into the UK.

However, the number of Afghan arrivals has decreased from its peak of 9,100 in 2022, according to the figures.

GB News Home and Security Editor Mark White has criticised the Home Office for rebranding "illegal migration" as "irregular migration" in its latest figures.

"How many have come to the UK irregularly? Irregular routes, well, illegal routes. Come on, British Government, we know exactly what you mean," said White.

He accused officials of "pussyfooting around" with terminology.

"Irregular means illegal," White stated bluntly in his assessment of the government's new phrasing.

The terminology change appears in the latest migration statistics released by the Home Office.

Around a third of people claiming asylum in the UK arrived on small boats, according to the figures.

The Home Office data shows asylum seekers also enter the country through other means.

"We think of asylum claims only being those who have arrived on a small boat, but actually they've also come across on lorries and many of those will arrive on tourist visas and then decide to claim asylum," White explained.

In total, there were 44,000 illegal arrivals in 2024, with 37,000 of those being small boat arrivals.