Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Immigration Courts: Waiting Times

Tuesday 10 January 2023 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Dean Russell asked about discussions with Cabinet colleagues to reduce waiting times for immigration cases, citing concerns over hotel usage for temporary accommodation.
  • Maggie Throup questioned the importance of speeding up immigration case processing and swift removal of failed claimants to end the use of hotels as accommodation centres, emphasizing her local context.
  • Dean Russell discussed the need for further investment in immigration processes, noting an increase in illegal boat crossings which he deemed unsafe, unfair, and unacceptable, and asked about priorities for 2025.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Dean Russell
Immigration Asylum & Refugees
Context

The question arises from concerns about delays in the immigration system, impacting case processing and accommodation of asylum seekers.

Question

What discussions has he had with Cabinet colleagues on reducing waiting times for immigration cases? He is concerned that long wait times are exacerbating issues such as the use of hotels for temporary accommodation.

Answer from Dominic Raab

We are committed to ensuring faster throughput in immigration and asylum tribunals to support the Government's priority to combat dangerous small boats crossing the channel.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans or commitments to reduce waiting times were not provided, only a general commitment to faster processing.

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Q2 Maggie Throup Con
Immigration Asylum & Refugees
Context

The question stems from concerns about temporary accommodation centres for asylum seekers, particularly in the MP's constituency, and the need to expedite case processing.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that speeding up the processing of immigration cases and swift removal of failed claimants is crucial to ending the use of hotels as accommodation centres? She highlights her local context where hotel usage is a significant issue.

Answer from Dominic Raab

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. That is part of the solution, and I am working closely with the Home Secretary on that. Our aim, working together, is to eliminate the backlog of people who claimed asylum before June 2022 by the end of this year. We will support the Home Office in delivering that so that we can end the use of hotels by 2024. Part of that is about the throughput, so we are doubling the number of decision makers in tribunals from 1,270 to 2,500.

Answered
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Q3 Dean Russell
Immigration Migrants & Borders
Context

The MP is concerned about the increase in illegal small boat crossings and the financial burden on local communities. He seeks clarity on government plans to address this issue.

Question

Further investment in immigration processes is welcome, but the number of people entering illegally by small boats has increased significantly last year. It's unsafe for genuine asylum seekers, unfair to those who entered legally, and unacceptable for UK taxpayers. As a priority for 2025, will my right hon. Friend outline practical steps being considered, including by the Justice Department, to ensure we have the most effective border in the world?

Answer from Dominic Raab

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. He will have heard what the Prime Minister said about the five pledges, one of which is to end the small boats coming across illegally. I mentioned what we are doing with the Home Office to get the backlog down in the immigration tribunal. My hon. Friend will know about the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, and the Home Secretary and the Prime Minister have also talked about further measures being brought forward shortly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While mentioning existing acts and pledges, specific new steps or timeline for effective border control were not provided.

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