British taxpayers are facing an unprecedented financial burden as legal aid costs for asylum seekers in Scotland have reached a record high of £14.4 million. This substantial expenditure comes amid growing concerns about immigration levels and their impact on public services across the UK.
Soaring Costs and Public Concern
New figures obtained by the Scottish Mail on Sunday reveal that civil legal aid spending on immigration and asylum cases reached £14.4 million in 2024/25, representing a dramatic 20% increase from the previous year. This amount is nearly three times higher than the costs recorded just a decade ago, highlighting a sustained upward trend in legal expenditure.
The situation has developed against the backdrop of record migration numbers entering the UK, including thousands arriving via small boat crossings in the English Channel. With the south-east of England experiencing the initial impact, the Home Office's dispersal system has been sending increasing numbers of asylum seekers to Scotland for temporary accommodation while their applications undergo processing.
Political Reaction and Local Impact
Scottish Conservative community safety spokeswoman Sharon Dowey MSP has described the escalating costs as "unsustainable." She emphasised that "hard-pressed Scots who are being hit with rising bills and seeing our public services at breaking point will question why their money is being spent in this way."
The political concerns are matched by practical challenges on the ground. Glasgow City Council, which houses approximately half of Scotland's asylum seekers, has warned of extreme financial pressure due to rising numbers and insufficient support from the UK government. This strain comes amid angry protests across Scotland about the use of hotels for asylum accommodation and plans to house hundreds more in former barracks in Inverness.
Changing Public Perception and Case Backlog
For the first time, immigration has entered the top five concerns for people living in Scotland according to research from the Diffley Partnership and the David Hume Institute. This shift in public opinion reflects the growing visibility of immigration issues across Scottish communities.
The legal aid costs are being driven by a system that permits multiple avenues of appeal, meaning cases can extend over many years. In the year ending June 2025, approximately 48% of initial asylum applications resulted in refugee protection being granted, equating to around 52,000 people. However, the appeals process continues to add substantially to the legal aid bill.
Among the cases raising eyebrows was that of a convicted paedophile from central Africa who successfully used public funds to argue that deportation would breach his right to family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Despite acknowledging the sex offender continued "to pose a risk," an immigration judge ruled in his favour at the end of last year.
The Scottish Legal Aid Board has stated that expenditure for immigration and asylum work is "prone to fluctuation, largely due to UK government policy and world events." A spokesperson emphasised their focus on "achieving best value for the public funds available to those eligible."
Meanwhile, the Home Office has pointed to its efforts to address the situation, noting that in the government's first year of office, it "facilitated the return of more than 35,000 individuals with no legal right to remain in the UK." Officials claim they are speeding up decision-making and reforming the appeals system to move asylum seekers through the process more efficiently.
