New asylum system shake-up announced
The government has unveiled new measures aimed at tightening up the asylum process.
The new plans will include streamlining the appeals process for those whose applications have been rejected, restricting them to a single appeal, and clamping down on asylum seekers who arrive in the UK having destroyed their travel documents.
A number of asylum seekers are believed to destroy their passports and travel documents before entering the UK, because it makes it more difficult for them to be removed. Under the new plans they could be prosecuted for failing to produce the necessary documentation.
The Home Office announced last week that an estimated 15,000 refugee families who have been waiting for more than three years for asylum would be granted leave to remain.
The government’s consultation paper also sets out proposals to tackle unscrupulous and unqualified legal advisers, including those who advise clinets on how to cheat the asylum system.
The proposals for a new asylum bill are expected to form part of the Queen’s Speech next month.
The prime minister referred to the “ludicrously complicated” system at the recent Labour Party conference and said it allowed far too much “judicial interference”.
Announcing the new proposals on Monday, home secretary David Blunkett said: “We must now speed up the appeals process.
“Too often unscrupulous and unqualified legal advisers are encouraging claimants to lodge appeal after appeal with no prospect of success, all at taxpayers’ expense.”
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten said of the new proposals: “What asylum policy really needs is firm, fair consistency, based on the principles of justice and economic migration.”
“Instead what the government gives us is policy based on tabloid headlines and focus group language.”
