Menu
25/05/2004
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.
The number of asylum applicants, including dependants, has dropped by 20% from the previous quarter to 10,585, figures showed. The number of applications, not including dependants, has dropped by 17% to 8,940, down by 44% on the same quarter last year.
Last quarter, 3,320 failed asylum seekers were removed from the UK – 27% more than the same quarter last year. More than 17,000 failed asylum seekers and dependants have now been removed over the past year.
And the number of cases awaiting an initial decision is the lowest for a decade at 18,100, and halved from 36,300 a year ago, the Home Office said.
A National Audit Office report into the government's asylum statistics found them to be "broadly reliable".
Home Office Minister, Des Browne, said: "The government has dramatically cut asylum applications, and the latest figures show that we are continuing to make progress in cutting the numbers of those who seek to abuse the system – indeed the number of applications in the whole of the last quarter is almost the same as the number we had in just one month in October 2002 before the NIA Act came into force.
"This fall is a result of a raft of government measures, including ending in-country appeals for nationals of safe countries, bringing in new visa regimes, closing Sangatte and rolling out detection technology and UK immigration controls along the north European coast."
Responding to the figures, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Mark Oaten said that the government carried much responsibility for the frenzied climate surrounding the asylum debate.
He added: "Irrespective, these figures show a general decline in applications - a result of global patterns.
"We must now work towards a mature debate about asylum and immigration in Britain, based on trust not fear, on our tradition of helping people flee persecution, and on Britain’s economic needs."
(gmcg)
The Home Office published its latest quarterly asylum statistics which found that asylum applications has nose-dived by more than 60% since October 2002.
The number of asylum applicants, including dependants, has dropped by 20% from the previous quarter to 10,585, figures showed. The number of applications, not including dependants, has dropped by 17% to 8,940, down by 44% on the same quarter last year.
Last quarter, 3,320 failed asylum seekers were removed from the UK – 27% more than the same quarter last year. More than 17,000 failed asylum seekers and dependants have now been removed over the past year.
And the number of cases awaiting an initial decision is the lowest for a decade at 18,100, and halved from 36,300 a year ago, the Home Office said.
A National Audit Office report into the government's asylum statistics found them to be "broadly reliable".
Home Office Minister, Des Browne, said: "The government has dramatically cut asylum applications, and the latest figures show that we are continuing to make progress in cutting the numbers of those who seek to abuse the system – indeed the number of applications in the whole of the last quarter is almost the same as the number we had in just one month in October 2002 before the NIA Act came into force.
"This fall is a result of a raft of government measures, including ending in-country appeals for nationals of safe countries, bringing in new visa regimes, closing Sangatte and rolling out detection technology and UK immigration controls along the north European coast."
Responding to the figures, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Mark Oaten said that the government carried much responsibility for the frenzied climate surrounding the asylum debate.
He added: "Irrespective, these figures show a general decline in applications - a result of global patterns.
"We must now work towards a mature debate about asylum and immigration in Britain, based on trust not fear, on our tradition of helping people flee persecution, and on Britain’s economic needs."
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
28 February 2006
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.
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.
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.
23 May 2006
UK asylum applications rise
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.
UK asylum applications rise
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A few fog patches at first, soon clearing to leave a dry day with some patchy cloud and good sunny spells. Light and variable winds. Feeling mild in sunny spells. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Dry and quite chilly overnight under prolonged clear spells and light winds. This will allow a few fog patches to develop in places. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
