The UK Government recently announced that a 10-page Home Office questionnaire will replace face-to-face interviews for Asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Libya, Syria and Yemen who completed applications to remain in the UK before last July.

The 40-question form is hoped to fast-track applications from these five countries in an attempt to reduce the Asylum backlog. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to halve the number of people waiting longer than six months for a decision on their case back in December 2022, and furthermore to end the backlog entirely in 2023.

The backlog currently stands at around 166,000 people. This marks a record number of people waiting on decisions to be made on their Asylum cases, two-thirds of which have already been waiting past six months for the outcome to their application.

Immigration Barrister George Brown commented, saying “Although the Government's announcement for a streamlined Asylum decision making process is welcomed in some quarters, this should not mask the fact that there have been grave concerns raised over a number of years about the harmful impact that the backlog has on both the mental and physical health of those people seeking international protection.”

The Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Law expert went on to say that “Many Asylum seekers wait months or even years for their claims to be processed. The existing support mechanisms available to Asylum seekers are poor and inadequate public funding for legal advice and representation compounds the difficulties faced by those seeking protection.”

George Brown remains cautious in his outlook, noting “Concerns must remain as to whether the Government's announcement will lead to fair and compassionate decision making for all, as opposed to a select cohort of claimants.

“For some the system will be a welcome and overdue relief, for many others however, serious hurdles remain in their quest for protection.”

George Brown is recommended as a ‘Leading Individual’ in the Legal 500 for his Immigration Law practice. If you have an Immigration, Asylum, or Nationality case you need advice or advocacy for, call our Immigration Clerks Courtney Richards and Daniella Howarth on 0161 832 4036, email [email protected], [email protected] or fill out our contact form.