The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has issued a highly critical report on the UK government’s handling of the asylum system reform. The committee described the government’s current business case as “incomplete and unrealistic,” and warned of “grave consequences.” The report highlighted concerns that the Home Office is shifting pressures from the small boats crisis onto the courts, risking the well-being of vulnerable individuals. It also criticized the department’s approach of introducing poorly designed questionnaires and assuming claims are withdrawn, potentially preventing genuine asylum seekers from having their applications properly considered. The report revealed that even if the current backlog of asylum claims is cleared by the end of the year, a new backlog of around 84,000 claims is expected to accumulate after June 2022.
The PAC report expressed concerns about the Home Office’s failure to understand the wider implications of increasing the number of asylum decisions it makes. While the department acknowledges that courts will hear more appeals and Immigration Enforcement will need to detain and remove more failed asylum seekers, it has not set out these implications in a proper business case until next year. The report warned that this delay will hinder preparations by the courts, Immigration Enforcement, local authorities, and the Department for Work and Pensions. It warned that unless the Home Office improves its understanding and communication across the system, asylum seekers may simply be passed from one backlog to another.
The report also criticized the Home Office’s plans to accommodate illegal immigrants in shared rooms, stating that there is inadequate assurance of safety. It accused the department of lacking a credible plan to end the use of hotels for this purpose and failing to meet its target of finding 500 new beds per week. The report highlighted a lack of coordination between the Home Office and local government, leading to increased prices and exacerbating homelessness challenges faced by local authorities. The committee recommended that the Home Office engage with local authorities and provide an updated business case, as well as addressing the backlog of newer claims.
PAC Chairwoman Dame Meg Hillier raised alarm over the compromises being made by the Home Office and called for a realistic and detailed plan for transforming the asylum system. She expressed concern that pressures are being shifted onto other parts of the system, risking flawed decisions, withdrawn asylum claims, and the safety of vulnerable individuals. In response to the recommendations, a Home Office spokesperson stated that immediate steps have been taken to address the asylum backlog and that efforts are underway to move asylum seekers into alternative, cheaper accommodation. The spokesperson highlighted measures such as simplifying guidance, streamlining processes, and conducting shorter, focused interviews to speed up processing. The department reported a reduction in the backlog of legacy cases and expressed confidence in delivering further progress in the coming months.