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22/05/2003
Asylum applications fall by a third
Home Office asylum figures released today have indicated that applications for the first quarter of the year fell by a third to 16,000.
The monthly application rate was also down 49% to 4,565 in March compared with 8,900 in October, the Home Secretary said. According to the figures 7,175 applications were made in January, to 4,255 in February and 4,565 in March.
The government has said that the downward trend in asylum applications was the result of measures to "secure the Channel Tunnel, moving UK border controls to France coupled with radical reforms in the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act".
The Home Office says that there has been "improvement across the system", with a record number of removals – 14,400 (including dependants) in 2002/03 – increasing numbers of appeals decided and a fall in the number of claims waiting for an initial decision.
The Home Secretary indicated today that he was considering further measures, including legislation to cover areas such as legal aid and of asylum seekers allegedly destroying or disposing of their documents in order to "make fraudulent claims and prevent removal".
Mr Blunkett said: "We are seeing real signs of improvement right across the asylum system. We are also removing more of those whose claims do not succeed, deciding more appeals and reducing the number waiting for an initial decision.
"Nevertheless despite this encouraging progress, I am in no way complacent. I am the first to recognise that we have a mountain to climb. Every step demonstrates that we were right to take the action we have but also reveals the need for further measures to build on the improvements we have set in place."
(GMcG)
The monthly application rate was also down 49% to 4,565 in March compared with 8,900 in October, the Home Secretary said. According to the figures 7,175 applications were made in January, to 4,255 in February and 4,565 in March.
The government has said that the downward trend in asylum applications was the result of measures to "secure the Channel Tunnel, moving UK border controls to France coupled with radical reforms in the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act".
The Home Office says that there has been "improvement across the system", with a record number of removals – 14,400 (including dependants) in 2002/03 – increasing numbers of appeals decided and a fall in the number of claims waiting for an initial decision.
The Home Secretary indicated today that he was considering further measures, including legislation to cover areas such as legal aid and of asylum seekers allegedly destroying or disposing of their documents in order to "make fraudulent claims and prevent removal".
Mr Blunkett said: "We are seeing real signs of improvement right across the asylum system. We are also removing more of those whose claims do not succeed, deciding more appeals and reducing the number waiting for an initial decision.
"Nevertheless despite this encouraging progress, I am in no way complacent. I am the first to recognise that we have a mountain to climb. Every step demonstrates that we were right to take the action we have but also reveals the need for further measures to build on the improvements we have set in place."
(GMcG)
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23 August 2005
Asylum applications fall by 11%
The number of asylum applications fell by 11% in the second quarter of this year, according to the latest figures from the Home Office. It was announced that 6,220 asylum seekers, excluding dependents, arrived in the UK between April and June this year.
Asylum applications fall by 11%
The number of asylum applications fell by 11% in the second quarter of this year, according to the latest figures from the Home Office. It was announced that 6,220 asylum seekers, excluding dependents, arrived in the UK between April and June this year.
17 May 2005
Asylum applications fall by 17%
Asylum applications dropped by 17% over the first three months of 2005, according to the latest figures from the Home Office. The Home Office’s quarterly statistics also showed that monthly applications are now at their lowest level since March 1997.
Asylum applications fall by 17%
Asylum applications dropped by 17% over the first three months of 2005, according to the latest figures from the Home Office. The Home Office’s quarterly statistics also showed that monthly applications are now at their lowest level since March 1997.
25 May 2004
Asylum applications fall by a fifth: government figures
The number of asylum applications has fallen by a fifth in the past quarter, according to statistics published today. The Home Office published its latest quarterly asylum statistics which found that asylum applications has nose-dived by more than 60% since October 2002.
Asylum applications fall by a fifth: government figures
The number of asylum applications has fallen by a fifth in the past quarter, according to statistics published today. The Home Office published its latest quarterly asylum statistics which found that asylum applications has nose-dived by more than 60% since October 2002.
16 November 2004
Asylum applications rise 9% over last quarter
Asylum applications rose by 9% last quarter, but stand around a third lower than this time last year, according to statistics published today. The statistics for July to September of 2004 found that asylum applications rose by 685, compared to the previous three months.
Asylum applications rise 9% over last quarter
Asylum applications rose by 9% last quarter, but stand around a third lower than this time last year, according to statistics published today. The statistics for July to September of 2004 found that asylum applications rose by 685, compared to the previous three months.
08 May 2003
Report slams government's asylum policy
The all-party Home Affairs Select committee has published a report today criticising the government over its policy on asylum.
Report slams government's asylum policy
The all-party Home Affairs Select committee has published a report today criticising the government over its policy on asylum.
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