28 April 2000
Figures published by the department showed the number of applications processed last month rose by almost 35%, from 7,865 to 11,340. On average, it now takes 13 months to process an asylum application.
But ministers' delight was quickly upset by the Refugee Council, which claimed that a speeded-up process meant a more unfair process. The Home Office figures also showed that 81% of applications in March were refused.
'It's faster but is it fair?' asked Fazil Kawani, communications director of the Refugee Council. 'We are concerned that negative decisions are on the increase despite the fact that asylum seekers are, broadly speaking, arriving here from the same places.'
Most applicants are from Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Sri Lanka. In 1999, the UK received 71,160 applications – a slight increase of just 25,000 from 1998, equivalent to an average crowd at Sheffield Wednesday Football Club. In the first three months of this year, applications rose by 36%.
On April 26, Jack Straw, Home Secretary, visited Dover to see how port officials deal with illegal immigrants. Ten would-be immigrants were arrested during his visit.
PFapr2000
