Few failed asylum seekers removed

Some failed asylum seekers are removed via detention centres.

Only one in 15 people refused asylum last year have been removed from the UK, figures suggest.

Of 62,700 people refused asylum last year, 4,100 had so far been removed, Home Office minister Des Browne said in a Commons reply.

Others could have left without informing the authorities, he added.

The figure sparked new criticism of the asylum system from opposition MPs. Tory MP Sir Teddy Taylor said it "does not seem to be working very well".

He estimated there were "probably 250,000" people living in Britain who had been refused the right to remain in the country.

Embarkation controls

Mr Browne said last year there were 51,300 cases - 62,700 including dependants - of people who had been refused asylum or lost an appeal.

"Of that specific number, 3,500 principal applicants have so far been removed - that is 4,100 people including dependants - and others of course will have left the country without informing the authorities.

"As we do not have embarkation controls it is not possible to determine whether that has happened."

The Home Office said the figures would increase as more of the failed asylum seekers from 2004 were removed.

"This does not relate to our target on removing more failed asylum seekers than there are unfounded applications," a statement said.

"We are committed to meeting the target of the monthly rate of removals exceeding the monthly number of unfounded asylum applications by the end of 2005.

"We have already introduced a new offence of destroying documentation - 208 people charged and 107 convicted already," the Home Office said.

'Documentation problem'

Sir Teddy, who raised the subject in the Commons, criticised the government, saying the system "does not seem to be working very well".

"There is a major problem of documentation involving people who destroy all their papers before they make their applications.

"There are now probably 250,000 people living in Britain who have been refused the right to remain here, but nevertheless stay here."

Shadow home secretary David Davis also attacked the government's asylum system.

"The government doesn't have a clue who is coming into, or leaving Britain. It is little wonder our asylum and immigration system is a shambles."

He added that the Conservatives would "reintroduce the embarkation controls that were abolished by Labour and make sure all Britain's ports are manned 24 hours a day."