The number of people applying for asylum in the UK has been going up recently. That's the main reason why people are talking about this.

Asylum applications in the UK

2002 85,865

2001 71,700

2000 80,315

1999 71,100

1998 46,000

1997 32,500

These numbers don't include the children or other family members that the asylum seeker might bring into the UK with them.

In 2002 there were 85,865 asylum applications, if you count the families as well the number goes up to 110,000.