Labour has broken another manifesto pledge, having slashed the number of case workers processing asylum claims.

Home Office figures show there are now 2,113 staff employed to interview asylum seekers to evaluate whether they can stay in Britain. 

During the last month of the Tories, however, there were 2,464.

This is despite Labour promising voters that it would hire additional caseworkers to 'restore order to the asylum system'.

It said extra staff were needed to clear the 'perma-backlog' that had built up under the Tories, claiming it would save taxpayers 'billions of pounds'. 

Asylum seekers are housed in hotels and other accommodation all over the country while their claims are processed. 

Labour promised voters that it would hire additional caseworkers to 'restore order to the asylum system'. It said extra staff were needed to clear the 'perma-backlog' that had built up under the Tories, claiming it would save taxpayers 'billions of pounds'. A screenshot of Labour's manifesto document

Chris Philp, Shadow Home Secretary, told the Mail: 'Despite promising extra asylum caseworkers in their manifesto, the stats show there has been a fall in the number of caseworkers under Labour. 

'This is just another broken promise from this weak Labour government.

'Only the Conservative Party have a clear plan to stop illegal immigrants crossing the Channel.'

Labour was last month accused of shattering a manifesto pledge to not hike taxes on working people.

Although Rachel Reeves decided against raising income tax in her bombshell budget, she froze thresholds for another three years in a 'stealth raid' that will drag millions of Britons into giving more.

Hospitality chiefs also accused Labour of breaching its manifesto, after firms were hammered with a huge increase in their business rates bill that will result in closures and job losses.

First reported by Private Eye, the caseworker figures lay bare another broken Labour 2024 manifesto promise.

In the document, Sir Keir Starmer said that his party would 'turn the page and restore order to the asylum system so that it operates swiftly, firmly, and fairly; and the rules are properly enforced'.

The manifesto continued: 'We will hire additional caseworkers to clear the Conservatives’ backlog and end asylum hotels, saving the taxpayer billions of pounds'.

Under Rishi Sunak, there was a 94% rise in caseworkers, from 1,265 in November 2022 to 2,455 in July 2024.

By comparison, Labour has overseen a 13% decrease in case worker headcount since it came to power.