The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Streamline for asylum application
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has pledged to speed up the asylum system with the nationwide rollout of a pilot scheme to streamline the application process.
The eight-week trial in Leeds doubled the average number of claims processed and reduced the time asylum seekers wait for a first interview by 40%, according to the Home Office.
Ms Braverman said the scheme will be extended to deal with 100,000 people awaiting a decision across the UK.
She said: “It is not right that the British people are picking up a £2 billion bill every year because the asylum system has been broken by an unprecedented wave of illegal migration.
“We still have a long way to go but these steps show our commitment to tackling the asylum backlog.
“Processing claims more quickly will help remove those who illegally come here from safe countries, while also ensuring those in genuine need receive our protection.
“There is no one silver bullet but we are redoubling our efforts on multiple fronts to tackle this unacceptable situation.”
The Home Office said it has also responded to the crisis by increasing the number of caseworkers by 80%, from 597 to more than 1,000, with a further 500 staff to be taken on by March 2023.
It said it has improved staff turnover by 30% by introducing a retention allowance and has streamlined the process through digitisation set to be operational UK-wide by May 2023.
Ms Braverman’s announcement comes as Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is “totally committed” to dealing with the issue of migrants crossing the Channel.
Mr Dowden told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme there is no easy “panacea” but voters are entitled to expect ministers to “grip” the problem.
He said: “This is a totally deplorable situation. It is dangerous for the people concerned. It enriches (people trafficking) gangs. That is exactly why the prime minister is totally committed to gripping this.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said Mr Sunak is set to revive the British Bill of Rights as part of his government’s strategy to deal with the small boats crisis.