The latest asylum statistics for the second quarter of 2006 were released by the government today. They show that 23% of appeals were successful, a figure that remains high. However, the overall number of applications is still falling, down by 15% from the last quarter.
Maeve Sherlock, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council said:
“The latest statistics again show a high number of successful appeals - almost one in four people who appeal their asylum decision get leave to stay here.
“With the continued fall in applications, there is surely no excuse for getting so many decisions wrong at the first stage.
“We are also concerned that people who could be fleeing for their lives are unable to get to the UK to find safety here. We must ensure that we continue to provide a place of safety for people who are in danger in their own country.”
The highest number of applications for asylum were from Afghan nationals, which rose by 11% from the first quarter of 2006. Applications from Chinese nationals also rose by 18%. Applications from other three nationalities in the top five, Eritrea, Iran and Somalia, fell by 28%, 13% and 23% respectively.
Of the 4980 initial decisions taken, 460 applicants were granted refugee status, 15 humanitarian protection and 525 discretionary leave. Almost 80% of the total, 3975, were refused. Of 4345 appeals determined by the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal, 980 were allowed, 23% of the total. The success rate was particularly high for Macedonian (65%), Eritrean (47%) and Somali nationals (53%).
The total number of asylum seekers currently being held in detention was 1,825, including 15 minors. Five of these children had been in detention for more than two weeks, 5 for more than a month.
The number of removals increased again to 5070, although this figure includes those who left of their own accord. The government claims it is still reaching its target of removing more failed applicants than it is refusing.
