UKBA inspector’s report
Wednesday 16 December
The annual report from the Chief Inspector of UKBA attracted some media attention, but mainly focused on the lack of fines paid by lorry drivers carrying illegal immigrants into the country. The Refugee Council welcomed the areas of the report dealing with asylum issues, but was disappointed that it took an independent inspection to note the poor conditions for asylum seekers at screening units in Liverpool, and also in detention in Calais.
Donna Covey said:
“It should be imperative for UKBA to deliver fair, consistent and respectful services, and strive to do so without waiting for an inspector to point out where they are going wrong. Basic humanitarian principles should run through all services provided to vulnerable people – it shouldn’t take a high level inspection to point out that people should have access to drinking water.”
See media coverage here:
BBC: Stowaway lorries go unpunished
Times: Lorry drivers escape fines over immigrants because of backlogs
London mayor helps refugees learn English
Thursday 11 December
The Refugee Council welcomed a new strategy launched by Boris Johnson to give all refugees in London English lessons to help refugees integrate into London society and find employment. Through the London Enriched scheme, the board will lobby for better provision of ESOL, English lessons for speakers of other languages, across the city.
Donna Covey said: “We’re very pleased the Mayor recognises the huge contribution refugees make to London, and how important it is that there is a strategy to ensure they are able to continue to do so. The process of integration starts from the moment a refugee arrives here. We look forward to working with him to ensure that there are enough opportunities for refugees to learn English, look for work, and rebuild their lives as part of thriving, successful communities.
London Evening Standard: Boris calls for refugees to be given English lessons
East London Advertiser: Refugees need English lessons to blend in London, says Boris
End child detention
Wednesday 10 December
December has seen an escalating furore in the press over the government policy of detaining children for immigration purposes. The Royal Colleges of paediatricians, GPs and psychiatrists called on the Government to recognise the rights of children in need in a joint statement, claiming that a lack of basic medical care is causing them to suffer significant harm.
A spokesman said, “Primary and secondary medical care for children and their families should be provided on the same in-reach basis as in the prison service.”
Independent: Immigration camps ‘harmful for children’
Times: Immigration centres ‘ignore children’s pain’
Guardian: Move children out of migrant centres, say medical experts
BBC: Child detainee health ‘at risk’
Santa turned away from detention centre
Sunday 13 December
There was further outrage when an Anglican vicar dressed as Father Christmas was forcefully turned away from Yarl’s Wood detention centre by police, as he tried to deliver presents to the children being detained inside.
See the video of it here.
Observer:Anglican ‘Santa’ barred from giving gifts to children at detainee centre
Children’s authors call for an end to child detention
Monday 14 December
Following this, Michael Bond, creator of famous refugee Paddington Bear, appeared in the press leading a campaign to end child detention. Fifty-five chidlren’s authors signed a letter to the Home Office condemning the detention of child asylum seekers.
Independent: Stop abusing child refugees
Independent: The cruelty of locking up child asylum seekers
Guardian: ‘Have we no shame?’
Immigration staff bonuses fury
Tuesday 8 December
The tabloids covered the public outcry over the bonuses paid to UKBA managers last year, amounting to an average of £10,000 each, despite the Home Affairs committee claiming the agency was incompetent.
The information was published in the Home Affairs Select Committee report, in which
Committee Chairman Keith Vaz MP said the border agency must get through the huge backlog of asylum cases faster and that the 40,000 cases the UKBA had no formal record of were ‘surprising and disappointing.’
Daily Express front page: Immigration bosses’ £300,000 bonuses
Daily Mail: £10,000 bonus for immigration chiefs
