The number of refugees allowed to settle in Britain under UN-facilitated schemes has fallen by more than a quarter in a year, according to figures released by the Home Office.
Only 7,271 people were granted protection through refugee resettlement programs in the year ending September 2025, almost half of whom were Afghans whose lives were in danger after an accidental data breach by a UK defense official.
This compares with 9,872 people being allowed in under similar schemes by September 2024 – a fall of 26%.
The figures come two weeks after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood tried to justify the radical policies by saying she would soon launch three new “safe and legal” routes for a “modest” number of applicants. A scheme allowing refugees to bring their family members to Britain was suspended in September.
Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said the data showed that existing “safe and legal” routes were disappearing, forcing refugees to seek irregular routes such as small boat crossings.
He said: “The sharp decline in resettlement numbers shows that the few safe and legal routes we have for people fleeing war and persecution to come to Britain are disappearing at a time when they are needed most.
“When legal pathways are not available, people are pushed towards smugglers and dangerous journeys. The suspension of family reunification – a pathway that has helped enormously help women and children – only makes it harder for families to stay together safely.
“If the government really wants to tackle gangs and stop Channel crossings, they need to set out how many people it wants to help each year and how it will develop safe routes so families have a real alternative to dangerous journeys.”
The latest Home Office figures show that 3,686 people whose lives were at risk due to an accidental Ministry of Defense data leak were allowed to come to the UK under the Afghanistan Response route last year.
The scheme was launched after personal details of around 19,000 individuals, who were applying for resettlement along with their family members, were mistakenly sent to Afghanistan by a London-based defense official.
Others granted resettlement this year include 1,087 Afghan translators and UK military aides who applied under the Afghan Resettlement and Assistance Policy, and 1,658 people who applied under the Afghan Civilian Resettlement Scheme.
Another 830 people arrived through the UK resettlement scheme, under which the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) identifies and interviews people and refers them to the UK.
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Four people came to the UK under the mandate scheme by September, compared to 23 last year. The Mandate Scheme is for a refugee who is identified as the parent or grandparent of a minor child, spouse or UK-based relative over the age of 65.
Mahmoud announced plans on 17 November to end permanent protection for refugees, instead reevaluating their claims every 30 months, stepping up the process of removing unsuccessful applicants, including their children, and stripping property of individuals arriving by boat.
He said the government would create three routes for refugees to come to Britain, and would give priority to individuals identified by UNHCR, but told journalists the plan would start by admitting “a few hundred” refugees. Asked by the Guardian, UNHCR said it was still waiting for details of these plans.
The government has removed 153 people and accepted 134 legitimate asylum claims through the “one in, one out” scheme with France.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “This Government is committed to protecting genuine refugees fleeing war and danger. That’s why, as part of the most comprehensive reforms to the asylum system in modern times, we will open new, legal and safe routes into the country to protect those in need.”
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