Home Office figures show that there were 51,265 asylum applications received in the first nine months of 1999 compared to 46,000 in 1998. At that time about 30% of asylum decisions result in grant of leave to remain in the UK.

The official explanatory notes to the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (© Crown Copyright 1999 acknowledged) summarise it by saying that it:-

".... includes provisions which touch on all areas of the immigration and asylum system. There are provisions which address the conditions which will apply to persons before they come to the United Kingdom; provisions which will affect the way in which persons are dealt with at ports when arriving in the United Kingdom; and provisions which will affect how they are dealt with once they are here. The Act contains provisions which are intended to contribute to genuine travellers being dealt with more quickly and, on the other hand, provisions for combating illegal entry and strengthening powers to deal with other persons not entitled to enter or remain in the country. The Act contains new support arrangements for asylum seekers in genuine need and includes other safeguards in the form of the regulation of immigration advisers and new provisions for the grant of bail to persons detained under immigration legislation. The Act also clarifies or strengthens some existing powers and offences".

See also Immigration/a general introductory note and/or Immigration/illegal workers and/or Immigration/2005 proposals