Asylum applications at 20-month low

Asylum applications dropped in February

Fewer people claimed asylum in the UK last month than for almost two years, according to the Home Office.

The 5,520 applications were down 13% on January's figure - the lowest since May 1999 - with the backlog of outstanding claims almost at a seven-year low.

"The task of restoring integrity to the asylum system will not be complete until we can ensure that people whose claims are unfounded routinely leave Britain"

Jack Straw

But the Conservatives claim the figures show continuing chaos in the asylum system.

Iraqis formed the largest group of last month's applicants, followed by nationals from Afghanistan.

The figures, published on Friday, do not include spouses, children or other dependants who arrive in the UK with the asylum seeker, so the real numbers are significantly higher.

And the number of appeals made against refusals rose to its highest-ever level of 10,405 - up more than a fifth on the previous month.

The Home Office argues the rise is a sign of the government's success in speeding up the decision-making process.

'Measures working'

A spokesman said there could be many reasons for the fall in applications but suggested they showed government measures were working.

"From a government perspective, we would certainly point to some of the initiatives and measures, such as increasing security around the ports," he said.

He said putting the burden on lorry drivers to check their vehicles for clandestine asylum seekers was also beginning to bite.

The number of asylum applications in February was down 1,730 on last November, when the highest monthly figure was recorded.

Origin of applicants

Iraq 710

Afghanistan 615

Sri Lanka 435

Somalia 380

Former Yugoslavia 375

The total from last December to February was 9% lower than the same period in the previous year.

Groups campaigning for asylum seekers say it is unfair that huge numbers of applications are being dismissed because the paper work is not being completed on time.

Next focus

Home Secretary Jack Straw said the focus for asylum efforts would now be to ensure that 30,000 failed asylum seekers left the UK.

He said the government was delivering on its priorities of protecting people facing persecution, deterring unfounded claimants and speeding up the decision-making process.

But he continued: "The task of restoring integrity to the asylum system will not be complete until we can ensure that people whose claims are unfounded routinely leave Britain at the end of consideration of their claims.

"From April we are dramatically increasing our ability to ensure failed asylum seekers leave Britain."

'Continuing chaos'

Tory shadow home office minister David Lidington said: "Labour has nothing to boast about with these latest figures, which still show continuing chaos in our asylum system.

"The asylum applications have increased hugely under Labour, from 32,500 in 1997 to 76,000 last year."

Mr Lidington said there was still a crisis in handling applications.

Only 7,000 of the 19,000 appeals so far this year had been determined, he added.