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14/03/2006
Asylum removal backlog criticised
The government's record on dealing with failed asylum seekers has been criticised by a committee of MPs.
The report, by the Public Accounts Committee, suggested that failed asylum seekers were not being removed from Britain "anywhere near fast enough" and it could take two decades to clear the backlog.
According to the report, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate estimated that between 155,000 and 280,000 people were due to be removed from the UK.
Committee chairman Edward Leigh said: "Failed asylum applicants are in increasing numbers staying in this country knowing that there is very little likelihood they will be apprehended and removed."
Electronic tagging and detention should be used in a bid to clear the backlog, the report suggested.
Prime Minister Tony Blair insisted that "enormous progress" had been made. He said: "We are now removing five times as many failed asylum seekers as when we came into office."
However, senior Conservatives accused the government of "losing control" of the asylum system. Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said: "This is a story of serial failure and serial incompetence.
"The government no longer controls deportations. The fact is that they lose track of people. They only know of 155,000 of the probable 280,000 that are still here. They lose track of the numbers they've turned down, where they are, and what they are doing, so they can't deport them. That is where the chaos is."
Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson said: "This is further evidence of the Home Office's inability to administer the asylum system. Failure to deal with asylum seekers whose applications fail undermines faith in the whole system.
"With a backlog of applications estimated at anything from 150,000 upwards, the government should take immediate steps to redirect resources to implement a fair and efficient system of enforcement and removal."
(KMcA/GB)
The report, by the Public Accounts Committee, suggested that failed asylum seekers were not being removed from Britain "anywhere near fast enough" and it could take two decades to clear the backlog.
According to the report, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate estimated that between 155,000 and 280,000 people were due to be removed from the UK.
Committee chairman Edward Leigh said: "Failed asylum applicants are in increasing numbers staying in this country knowing that there is very little likelihood they will be apprehended and removed."
Electronic tagging and detention should be used in a bid to clear the backlog, the report suggested.
Prime Minister Tony Blair insisted that "enormous progress" had been made. He said: "We are now removing five times as many failed asylum seekers as when we came into office."
However, senior Conservatives accused the government of "losing control" of the asylum system. Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said: "This is a story of serial failure and serial incompetence.
"The government no longer controls deportations. The fact is that they lose track of people. They only know of 155,000 of the probable 280,000 that are still here. They lose track of the numbers they've turned down, where they are, and what they are doing, so they can't deport them. That is where the chaos is."
Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson said: "This is further evidence of the Home Office's inability to administer the asylum system. Failure to deal with asylum seekers whose applications fail undermines faith in the whole system.
"With a backlog of applications estimated at anything from 150,000 upwards, the government should take immediate steps to redirect resources to implement a fair and efficient system of enforcement and removal."
(KMcA/GB)
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The number of asylum applications in the UK increased by 5% in the first three months of 2006, the latest figures from the Home Office have shown. However, removals of failed asylum seekers have also increased, rising by 19% on the previous quarter and 43% when compared to last year's figures.
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22 November 2005
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.
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.
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