Asylum applications steady for this year but down from 2004

Home Office figures released this week show applications remain steady this year, but down from 2004 levels.

The numbers of removals moved up 12% but did not reach the government's self-imposed target of removing more asylum seekers than those who enter the country without gaining an initial positive decision. Another figure showing little change was the number of successful appeals at the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT) which remain high at 18% overall. These figures reflect Refugee Council concerns that the quality of decision making is insufficient.

The main points are:

• The total number of applications excluding dependants between April and June was 6320, a increase of 2% over the previous quarter but down 26% over the same quarter of 2004.
• 465 of these applications were recognised as refugees at their initial decision
• The top nationality applying was from Iran (750), but Eritrea (625) had a 128% increase in applications over the previous quarter to have the second highest group. Other nationalities heading the list were China, Somalia and Afghanistan. Applications from Zimbabwe increased by 33%, before the recent AIT judgement preventing their being returned.
• 18% of the 6305 appeals heard by the AIT were allowed. This figure rises to 49% for Eritrea, 42% for Russia and 39% for Somalia as examples of the highest levels of successful appeal - virtually identical to the previous quarter, showing the endemic faults in the quality of initial decision making are particularly strongly shown for these countries.
• 3460 asylum applicants were removed (3935 including dependants) - a 12% increase on the previous quarter.
• 1695 asylum seekers were being detained on 24 September 2005. 75 of these were recorded as being under 18 years old (this figure does not include age-disputed young people so refers only to dependants)

Further information:

Home Office Asylum Statistics: 3rd Quarter 2005 (PDF)