Britain's asylum system needs urgent reform, say MPs
MPs have today called for an overhaul of the UK’s asylum system, saying it was vital that migrants received a “better standard” of support.
The system is currently under review by the Government, with Home Secretary Priti Patel considering major changes to how asylum seekers are treated once they enter the UK.
Ministers are understood to be frustrated with the growing delays in the system, which currently has a record backlog of more than with 45,769 cases.
The issue has fallen under the spotlight in recent months due to a huge increase in the number of people arriving illegally in Britain via boats across the Channel from France.
Stuart Anderson, the Conservative MP for Wolverhampton South West, said he has spoken to the Home Secretary regarding a series of “desperately needed” changes to the system.
He wants to see the application process fast-tracked so that all asylum applications are dealt with within a set period of time.
And he said it was “fundamentally wrong” that asylum seekers are barred from working while they await the outcome of their applications.
“When we complete Brexit and take control of our borders we will be able to monitor people who come in and out of the country,” Mr Anderson said. “At the moment we are severely limited as to what we can do.
“I firmly believe that people should have a right to claim asylum. Some of them are coming from the most horrific situations, but to come to Britain and then be put on a process where they can’t work is fundamentally wrong.
“The process needs to be sped up, so asylum seekers can find out in a set time – whether it is six months or a year – what their status is.
“Not every application is straightforward, and where people are forced to wait longer, they should be able to work.
“Many asylum seekers are used to working in their home countries. They come here and want to earn a living. It’s a matter of personal pride.
“The system needs a complete overhaul and I welcome the Government’s review. It is a fine line, because people want Britain to control its borders, but once genuine asylum seekers are here they must receive a better standard of support.”
Pat McFadden, Labour MP for Wolverhampton South East, said too many people were being "left in limbo" due to failings with the current system.
He said: "Any MP will tell you that we get cases in our advice surgeries that have sometimes dragged on for years.
"It’s not right for the applicant or for the wider public interest because until a case is decided, the person is left in limbo.
"We need a system that comes to a decision more quickly. The government seems to be struggling with basic governance in a number of areas at the moment including this one."
The Home Office is understood to consider the end of the Brexit transition period on December 31 as a “reset moment” on immigration.
Among the plans being considered is a scheme aimed at speeding up and increasing the number of deportations of people who are not genuine asylum seekers.
Last year around 6,500 people were removed from the country, a figure which is said to represent a tiny fraction of the unauthorised population, which some believe to be more than one million.
