Failed asylum seekers removals increase

The number of failed asylum seekers removed from Britain increased by 12% to 3,460 in the third quarter of this year, Home Office figures have shown.

People from Serbia and Montenegro, Afghanistan, Iraq, Turkey and Pakistan accounted for most of the removals.

The number of removals, which does not include dependents such as spouses or children, also rose by 10% compared to the same period last year.

However, the number of asylum applications made between July and September this year also increased by 2%, compared to the previous quarter, to 6,315.

The Home Office said that applications tended to rise in the third quarter and stressed that the long-term trend remains down, with applications having fallen by 27% compared with a year ago.

Applications have also fallen by 72% since their peak in 2002.

People from Iran, Eritrea, China, Somalia and Afghanistan accounted for the highest number of asylum applicants in the third quarter.

The Home Office said that 84% of initial application decisions were refusals, while 7% were granted asylum and 9% were granted humanitarian protection or discretionary leave.

Commenting on the figures, Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said: “The asylum figures published today illustrate the progress we are making in this process of reform, highlighting, in particular, the success of our policies designed to target and remove those failed asylum seekers who have no right to be in the UK.

“The UK has a long tradition of offering refuge to those who need it most, but those without a valid claim for asylum must recognise they have no legal right to remain here.

“We are continuing to work towards our target of removing more failed asylum seekers on a monthly basis than there are unfounded claims. We recognise this is a tough target and more still needs to be done, but we will continue to work towards this goal and expect to meet it in February 2006.”

(KMcA/SP)