At the end of September 2014, 22,879 of the applications for asylum received since April 2006 from main applicants were pending a decision (initial decision, appeal or further review). This was 48% more than at the end of September 2013 (15,438). The number of decisions outstanding increased during this period due to a decrease in staffing levels following a restructure initiated by the UK Border Agency. Since January 2014, the Home Office has taken steps to reallocate resources to this area.

At the end of September 2014, 27,815 asylum seekers were being supported while their asylum claim was finally determined (under Section 95). The number of failed asylum seekers and their dependants receiving support (under Section 4) was 4,885. These were up 26% and 4% respectively compared with the previous year.

Detention: The number of people entering detention fell 3% to 29,492. Over the same period there was a fall of 3% in those leaving detention (from 30,102 to 29,151).

There was a continuing small decline in the proportion of detainees being removed on leaving detention to 55% from 57% compared with the previous 12 months. There was a slight increase in the proportion of detainees granted temporary admission or release, from 36% to 37% over the same period. As at the end of September 2014, 3,378 people were in detention, 8% higher than as at the end of September 2013 (3,115). In the third quarter of 2014, 26 children entered detention, a small increase on the 19 recorded for each of the first and second quarters of 2014. Of the 27 children leaving detention in the third quarter of 2014, 20 were removed from the UK, 5 were granted temporary admission or release and 2 were released unconditionally.

During the year ending September 2014, 29,151 people left detention. Of these, 18,165 (62%) had been in detention for less than 29 days, 5,105 (18%) for between 29 days and two months and 3,932 (13%) for between two and four months. Of the 1,949 (7%) remaining, 144 had been in detention for between one and two years and 30 for two years or longer.

Just over a third of people leaving detention were detained for seven days or less (10,820). Of these, 5,912 (55%) were removed, 4,621 (43%) were granted temporary admission or release and 92 (1%) were bailed. Of the 174 detained for 12 months or more, 77 (44%) were removed, 54 (31%) were bailed and 39 (22%) were granted temporary admission or release.

As at 29 September 2014 there were 425 detainees held in prison establishments in England and Wales solely under Immigration powers as set out in the Immigration Act 1971 or UK Borders Act 2007. In the year ending September 2014, provisional data show that 4,852 foreign national offenders (FNOs) were removed, a decrease of 2% from the previous year (4,968).

Total cost of running the Immigration Detention Estate financial year 2013/2014 was £164.4m. This includes all costs, including running costs, rent, depreciation and other costs, for all Immigration Removal Centres, Short Term Holding Facilities and amounts paid for spaces in the main prisons estate.

James Brokenshire: It has been estimated that an estate of around 5,000 beds will support the removal of those with no right to remain in the UK. This figure is subject to reviews of demand, affordability and value for money]

Removals and Voluntary Departures There were 9% fewer enforced removals from the UK (12,461) compared with the previous 12 months (13,740). The number of passengers refused entry at port and who subsequently departed has increased by 6% to 15,118; however the long-term trends show levels decreasing since 2004. In the year ending September 2014, there were 4,289 enforced removals of people who had sought asylum at some stage, down 14% from the previous year (5,005).

There were 33,978 voluntary departures recorded in the year ending September 2014. Although this is lower than the 36,448 now recorded for the year ending September 2013 it is higher than the 30,184 originally reported a year ago for year ending September 2013. These latest figures are particularly subject to upward revision due to subsequent data-matching exercises which identify further cases of voluntary departures.

Published 27 November 2014 Read the full report here