MORE asylum seekers were supported in Barrow while their claim was processed than last year as the number of people waiting for an asylum decision hits its highest ever level.

The figures come as a refugee charity calls for an asylum system founded on "compassion and competence".

While awaiting a decision asylum seekers cannot work but can be entitled to financial assistance and accommodation through what is known as 'Section 95' support.

Claimants may be eligible for Section 98 – which is given to those who appear destitute and are waiting to see if they are eligible for Section 95 – or Section 4, for after a claim is rejected.

Home Office figures shows 153 people were claiming asylum assistance in Barrow as of December – up from two a year before.

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Of these people, 25 were receiving Section 95 support.

The figures come as the UK's backlog in asylum applications topped 160,900.

This was up 60 per cent from 100,600 for the same period in 2021, and the highest figure since current records began in 2010.

The Refugee Council charity called the backlog "alarming", adding people fleeing persecution are being left "in limbo" while awaiting a decision.

"We need an asylum system that isn’t just about control, but is also about compassion and competence," its CEO, Enver Solomon, added.

Senior researcher Dr Peter Walsh said other countries have “routinely received similar or higher numbers of claims” but processing the applications has been “particularly slow in the UK”.

The number of asylum seekers claiming Section 98 support – and therefore judged to be at risk of destitution – doubled from 24,200 to 49,500 last year.

Local figures on Section 98 support have only just been made available – with 128 people receiving it in Barrow.

A Home Office spokesman said: “Our priority is to stop the boats and ensure that people who come here illegally are detained and swiftly removed.

“We are working to speed up asylum processing so that people do not wait months or years in the backlog, at vast expense to the taxpayer, and to remove everyone who doesn’t have a legitimate reason to be here.”