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Asylum and Immigration: Appeals

Asked by Nick TimothyConservativeMinistry of JusticeTabled Answered 10 July 2026UIN 15044

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the total legal aid expenditure on immigration and asylum appeals in (a) the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) and (b) the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) combined was in each financial year from 2021-22 to the most recent financial year for which outturn figures are held, broken down by (i) controlled legal representation and (ii) licensed work.

Answered by Sarah Sackman

Total legal aid expenditure on immigration and aysulm appeals in the First-tier and Upper Tribunals is set out in the table below.

Financial Year

Controlled Legal Representation Costs

Licensed Work Costs

2021-22

£13,700,752

£277,164

2022-23

£14,177,801

£389,427

2023-24

£14,475,607

£737,053

2024-25

£17,937,953

£1,111,066

2025-26

£20,589,766

£548,872

The number of certificates opened for immigration and asylum appeals is set out in the table below.

Financial Year

Certificates Granted

2021-22

363

2022-23

418

2023-24

412

2024-25

612

2025-26

419

Due to the way in which data is recorded on Legal Aid Systems it is not possible to disaggregate number of Controlled Work matter starts for immigration and asylum appeals before the First-tier and Upper Tribunals from other Controlled Work matter starts in the immigration and asylum category.

Legal aid for immigration and asylum cases is primarily provided as Controlled Work. Controlled Work covers the provision of legal advice and representation before the First-tier Tribunal and certain work before the Upper Tribunal.

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