Britain’s asylum policy ‘too soft’

BRITAIN’S political asylum regime was under fire again yesterday after figures showed we are twice as likely as France to admit Iranians.

Home Office statistics state that 63 per cent of those who applied were given asylum, discretionary leave or humanitarian protection.

French officials accepted 37 per cent of Iranian applications.

Critics said the UK’s generous approach can explain why migrants are attracted to undergo the process here.

Lord Green of Deddington, chairman of MigrationWatch UK, said: “The British asylum system is less stringent than the one in France.

“This is partly why people are trying to come through Calais into Britain and not applying in France.”

A MigrationWatch analysis discovered that between 2008 and 2017, about 2,500 Iranians applied for asylum in Britain each year – more than anywhere else except Germany.

A Home Office spokesman yesterday said: “The UK has a proud history of providing protection to those who need it.

“However, we are clear that those with no right to be in the UK should return home.”