Asylum families given reprieve in 'one-off exercise'

Allowing up to 15,000 asylum seeker families to remain in the UK to live and work will save taxpayer's money, Home Secretary David Blunkett said today.

The Home Secretary said the decision was a "one-off exercise" for families who sought asylum in the UK more than three years ago.

He added that expensive longstanding individual appeals in the courts are not the best use of taxpayer's money. Figures show that moving just 1,000 of the families off support will save £15 million in addition to any savings on legal aid.

"I want to ensure our relentless focus is on steadily increasing the proportion of failed asylum seekers removed from now on," Mr Blunkett said.

People who have committed a criminal offence will not be included. Successful applicants who go on to commit a criminal offence can be removed from the UK.

Those who have lodged multiple asylum applications or are the responsibility of another European country will also not be included.

Mr Blunkett said: "This one-off exercise will enable those who have suffered years of uncertainty over their status to move off benefits and into work to fully contribute to society."

The Home Office will write to the families who are eligible, and the assessment exercise is expected to take about six months.

Other measures announced today will end support for families who have been refused asylum if they refuse to take up the offer of a voluntary, paid route home.

The Home Office removed almost 15,000 failed asylum seekers in 2002/03, an increase of 29% on the previous year.

(gmcg)