Quarterly statistics published today by the Home Office show asylum applications between January and March 2005 showed that asylum applications have continued to drop. Asylum applications fell by a 17 per cent over the first three months of 2005 and were nearly twenty two per cent lower than the same period in 2004.
The figures also show that removals increased by four per cent when compared to the previous quarter, but remain ten per cent lower than the equivalent quarter in 2004. Immigration Minister, Tony McNulty, signalled the government's commitment to speedy removals, “Removals remain 73 per cent higher than in 1997, but we are determined to increase this, so that by the end of the year we should be removing more failed asylum seekers per month than there are unfounded claims."
For the first time, the quarterly asylum statistics included the numbers granted indefinite leave and the number of failed asylum seekers who are unable to return home and who receive basic support. The Home Office also revealed that this group will soon be required to perform community activities in return for supported until they can return home.
The main statistical findings are:
- · There were 7,015 applications in Q1 2005, 17 per cent lower than in Q4 2004 (8,465) and 22 per cent lower than the corresponding Q1 2004 (8,940).
- · The top nationalities were Iran (850), Iraq (525) and Somalia (495).
- · 8,045 initial decisions were in first quarter.
- · 4 out of every 5 new claims are decided in two months.
- · The number of cases awaiting an initial decision has continued to fall - 8700 cases at the end of March 2005 compared to 17,500 at the end of March 2004 and the lowest level for a decade.
- · Six per cent of initial decisions in Q1 were granted asylum, slightly higher than Q4 2004 (four per cent). The proportion granted humanitarian protection or discretionary leave decreased from twelve per cent to ten per cent. Eighty four per cent of initial decisions were refusals, slightly lower than in Q4 2004 (85 per cent).
- · 3000 principal asylum applicants were removed in the last quarter, four per cent more than the previous quarter (2895), 10 per cent less than in Q1 2004.
Additional information:
Read the Refugee Council's statement on the new asylum statistics.
Home Office statistics: ‘Asylum Statistics: 1st Quarter 2005 United Kingdom’
