In response to the publication of a National Audit Office report into asylum decision-making, Maeve Sherlock, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council said:

“An asylum system that is humane and efficient is in everybody’s best interests. This report shows that there is still much to do to achieve such a system.

“The most significant problem is poor initial decision-making on asylum claims. As this report highlights, one in five of the claims that the Home Office turns down is overturned on appeal. For some countries, decision-making is even worse—in 2003, well over one in three Sudanese people who had their initial claim rejected were allowed to stay after their cases were reviewed at appeal.

“The report highlights makes a number of recommendations for improving decision making. The Refugee Council particularly welcomes the idea of having better systems for reviewing decisions before they are sent out to people making asylum claims and improving the training for caseworkers.

“Getting asylum decisions right first time helps everybody. Not only would this speed up the process and lead to cost savings, it would make it easier for refugees to settle in the UK and for the Government to deal effectively with those who have been fairly rejected.”

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