ASYLUM – Labour’s KEY ACHIEVEMENTS since 1997

 

·             Applications down 76% since 2002 (From over 8,000 to under 2,000 a month)

·             Fewer applications in 2005 than in any year since 1993

·             Over the last four years of the Tory government, applications rose by 45%

·             Including dependants applications fell by 24% in 2005 compared to 2004, falling at more than twice the rate of the rest of EU25 (excluding the UK). Applications (exc. dependants) rose 45% between 1993 and 1997

·             76% of new claims decided within 2 months rather than the 22 months it took in 1997.

·             In 1996 the backlog was nearly 57,500. Down to 5,000 at the end of Q2 2006

·             Removals of principal asylum applicants increased by 185% between 1996 and 2005 (up 92 % since 1997) but intake increased by just 13%.

·             More principal applicants were removed in 2005 alone (13,730) compared to the last four full years of the last Tory Govt (12,020 1993-96).

·             In 1996 the number of removals was equivalent to only 20% of predicted unfounded claims, that proportion was around 50% in 2004 and in 2005 increased further to over two thirds of unsuccessful claims.

·             An additional £20 million was allocated to help fund 600 extra immigration staff from 2005-06. Tories planned to cut 1,200 immigration posts in 1997.

·             We deny entry clearance to 19% of visa applicants (483,457 in 2004-05);              the proportion is higher in some key posts.  By contrast, the proportion of    visa refusals globally in 1993 was 7.1% (68,845).

·             Tories planned to cut 1,200 immigration posts in 1997. In 1997 there were 2,706 immigration staff in post. Now there are nearly 8,600 – up over 5,800

·             We have met the tipping point target for the first six moths this year. For the first time ever the number of failed asylum seekers removed exceeds the number of unfounded applications

email:  stephenladymanmp@souththanetlabour.org.uk

South Thanet delivery since 1997