Latest asylum and immigration statistics released
Most of the media focused on the percentage of babies being born to parents born outside the UK and its impact on population numbers, although net migration actually fell. Asylum applications remained low at 6, 045 for the last quarter.
Donna Covey, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council said:
“We must make sure that the focus on strengthening Britain’s borders does not prevent people fleeing for their lives from getting to safety here in the UK. These figures show that asylum numbers remain low. However, looking at the top countries of origin for asylum seekers – Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Iran, Sri Lanka – these are all countries torn apart by conflict or with terrible human rights records.”
Download the Home Office statistics
Read the full Refugee Council press release
BBC News: Population growth at 47-year high
UK Border Agency to share fingerprints of asylum seekers with other countries
The UK Border Agency has signed up to data sharing agreements with Canada and Australia to check the fingerprints of people claiming asylum in case they are wanted for crimes abroad.
The Daily Telegraph: Data sharing deal to check on asylum seekers and foreign criminals
Asylum support pilot criticised
A pilot scheme designed to find accommodation faster for asylum seekers who are sleeping rough has been criticised by campaigners, who say it excludes some of the most vulnerable groups such as families and that the form used to apply is too complicated.
Inside Housing: Campaigners attack asylum support pilot
Difficulties faced by those in asylum limbo
A comment piece by Carl Gardner in the Guardian looked at a recent court case and the spotlight it throws on the complications faced by the UK government in returning refused asylum seekers who lack identity documents, and how this leaves people in limbo.
The Guardian: Comment: How should we tackle failed asylum seekers?
Is the EU doing enough to protect refugees?
Failure of many European countries to adequately offer protection to those seeking sanctuary in Europe came under scrutiny in a comment piece by David Cronin in the Guardian.
The Guardian: Comment: The EU should protect asylum seekers
Hull asylum seekers find it difficult to access health care and decent housing
A report commissioned by the NHS Hull trust found that many of the 1,600 asylum seekers and refugees in the city are living in damp and overcrowded houses and find that NHS staff often have “disrespectful” attitudes towards them.
The trust is planning to take up some of the report’s recommendations, such as providing specialist counselling services for those who have suffered trauma in their home countries.
Yorkshire Post: City ‘failing asylum-seekers over health care and decent housing’
Iranian refugees in the Midlands hold protest over being allowed to work
A group of Iranian refugees protested outside an immigration reporting centre in Solihull at not being allowed to work in the UK.
Birmingham Mail: Asylum seekers stage protest in the Midlands
Hard won achievement of refugee doctor
BBC News interviewed Dr Sarkhell Radah, an Iraqi Kurdish refugee who is now working as an orthopeadic specialist trainee about the hurdles faced by refugee doctors to practise in the UK.
BBC News: ‘They stoned my house every night’
Rural life for city Somalis
A Welsh farm is working with Somali community groups to give young people of a Somali background an experience of the rural life.
The Guardian: Out of Africa, into Wales
FC Barcelona show their support for refugees
Barcelona’s football team continued their partnership with the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) by wearing shirts supporting a campaign between UNHCR, FC Barcelona and Nike to raise money for sports and education projects for young refugees during their friendly with Manchester City.
MES campaign website
Kickitout.org: Barcelona back UN refugee agency campaign
