Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Pending Asylum Applications

Monday 17 January 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Recent estimate shows a high number of pending asylum applications needing initial decision.
  • Conservative government acknowledges the asylum system takes too long to reach decisions.
  • Home Office plans to speed up decision-making process and reduce delays through reforms.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Afzal Khan Lab Manchester Rusholme
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The question arises from the issue of prolonged asylum application processing times and their impact on vulnerable individuals.

Question

What recent estimate she has made of the number of asylum applications pending initial decision. The Conservative government's failure to address this is evident, with asylums seekers experiencing significant emotional and physical trauma due to delays in decisions.

Answer from Kevin Foster

We accept that the asylum system is broken, often taking too long to reach decisions. We are working to fix it via the Nationality and Borders Bill. Alongside that, we have plans to speed up the decision-making process and reduce unnecessary delays.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The number of pending asylum applications was not provided.

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Q2 Afzal Khan Lab Manchester Rusholme
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The issue stems from the government's prolonged inaction on asylum application delays, leading to severe emotional and physical trauma for seekers.

Question

Conservatives claim that the asylum system is broken but have failed to address it over a decade. The Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit highlights the emotional and physical trauma experienced by asylum seekers due to delayed decisions. How has the Home Office's ability to make initial decisions collapsed completely under this Government, and what urgent steps will be taken?

Answer from Kevin Foster

I am sorry to hear that it sounds like the hon. Gentleman will not be reconsidering his opposition to our reform plans, while his party offers no meaningful alternative. The focus is on reform and updating the system for resettlement based on need.

Not addressed: The MP's specific questions about the collapse of decision-making abilities and urgent steps were not addressed.

How: Changing Subject, Reiterating Party Line

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