Policy Hub
On 15 December 2008, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) published a report (Asylum matters: restoring trust in the UK asylum system) which argues that existing laws that withdraw all support from asylum seekers should be abandoned as part of a wide-ranging reform of the system designed to speed up decisions and return people to their home countries.
The report maintains that Britain’s lack of success in persuading failed asylum seekers to return home voluntarily is part of a broader policy failure. It recommends several changes to the current system to speed up the processing of claims and ensure that those accepted are quickly integrated into mainstream society while those rejected are returned home – voluntarily or forcibly – within six months.
According to the report, the current system takes on average 13 months to remove a failed applicant. Instead, it proposes a new, more streamlined and fairer system to process applications, make decisions and repatriate asylum seekers refused entry. The report insists that the role of the UK Border Agency should be limited to the enforcement of immigration laws. A new independent body consisting of a panel of three full-time magistrates should be set up to adjudicate on applications. Charities and voluntary groups should be given state contracts to support asylum seekers while their cases are prepared and heard and while applicants are either integrated into society or helped to return home voluntarily.
Asylum matters: restoring trust in the UK asylum system (PDF)