Asylum applications 'lowest level in a decade'

Asylum applications have fallen to their lowest level for more than a decade, according to the latest figures published by the Home Office.

The figures showed that there were 6,165 applications in the last quarter of 2005 - a 2% drop from the previous quarter and 27% lower than the same period in 2004.

The number of initial decisions also fell to 5,645, 13% lower than the previous quarter. However, the figures also showed that there were 27,495 initial decisions made in 2005 - around 2,000 more than the total number of applications.

However, the number of removals increased to 3,525 - an increase of 2% on the previous quarter and 20% on the same period in 2004.

Iranians made up the largest number of applicants, followed by asylum seekers from Eritrea and Afghanistan.

Commenting on the figures, Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said: "The figures published today show we are continuing to cut the number of asylum applications, now down to their lowest level for more than a decade. Intake is also falling at a faster rate than elsewhere in Europe reflecting the package of measures we have put in place, such as immigration controls at ports across the Channel and legislation to target abuse."

Mr McNulty acknowledged that more progress had to be made on increasing the number of removals. However, he said: "We have made significant progress towards our target of removing more failed asylum seekers on a monthly basis than there are unfounded claims and I am confident that we are close to achieving it.

The Home Office also published figures on the number of EU Accession State individuals registered to work in the UK, which showed that a total of 345,000 people applied to the Worker Registration Scheme between May 2004 and December 2005.

Mr McNulty said: "The figures show that workers from the Accession States continue to come to the UK for work, filling important vacancies, supporting the provision of public services in communities across the UK and making a welcome contribution to our economy and society.

"This, and the recent European Commission report on the free movement of workers, vindicates the success of the UK's policy in opening up our labour market."

(KMcA/GB)