§ David DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been spent by the National Asylum Support Service in each year since its inception(a) on subsistence only support, (b) on NASS accommodation and (c) in total. [173399]
§ Mr. Browne[holding answer 14 May 2004]: The information requested on the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) accommodation costs and total NASS expenditure is as follows.
£ million1 Financial Year (a) Subsistence only support2 (b) Expenditure on NASS Accommodation (c) Total NASS Expenditure 2000–01 Not recorded separately Not recorded separately 783 2001–02 Not recorded separately 439 1,082 2002–03 Not recorded separately 594 1,124 2004–04 Not recorded separately Not yet available Not yet available 1 All figures rounded to the nearest million. 2 Specific information on the costs of providing subsistence only are not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Tom CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women from the Ukraine have sought political asylum in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and how many applications have been granted. [173539]
§ Mr. BrowneThe tables show asylum application and initial decision data for Ukranian nationals, by gender, for those years for which data are available:
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Asylum applications1 received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions2, on applications, by gender, 2001–03 Applications Total applications Initial decisions Total initial decisions Grants of asylum Grants of ELR Grants of HP/DL Refusals Female 20013,4 130 345 * 15 n/a 330 20024 80 80 — 5 n/a 75 20034 90 120 — * 5 115 n/a = not applicable. 1 Figures rounded to nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2. 2 Information is of initial decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals determinations or other subsequent decisions. 3 Revised figures. 4 Provisional figures. Information on asylum applications and initial decisions, by gender, is published in the annual statistical bulletin, "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom". Copies of these publications and others relating to general immigration to the UK are available from the Library and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at: http://NAAAAw.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html
§ Glenda JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many citizens of the new EU accession states, previously maintained as asylum seekers, have(a) had that maintenance removed, (b) lost their housing and (c) applied for work registration. [173873]
§ Mr. BrowneOn 5 and 6 April 2004, the National Asylum Support Services (NASS) sent 1,131 letters to nationals from those countries due to join the EU on 1 May (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Cyprus and Malta). The letters explained that, after 1 May, as EEA nationals, they would no longer be entitled to National Asylum Support Service (NASS) support and that they would have the options of working, and registering under the Worker Registration scheme where appropriate, becoming self sufficient or returning to their country of origin. Support can be provided if it is necessary to avoid a breach of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and a process has been set up to consider ECHR representations.
Provisional figures indicate that as at 14 May, of the 1,131 cases, 571 were remaining in NASS accommodation and a further 108 were receiving cash only support, pending an individual assessment of their circumstances. These figures are subject to change as cases find work or if they decide to leave the United Kingdom voluntarily.
Figures are not currently available for those supported by local authorities under the interim provisions but local authorities have been advised of the procedures being followed by NASS.
The Immigration and Nationality Directorate is monitoring the impact of accession and will be making information available on the Worker Registration Scheme on a regular basis, when it is meaningful and appropriate to do so.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers and their dependants in each parliamentary constituency in the City of Newcastle in December 2003 were supported by1398W the National Asylum Support Service; and how many of those were (a) from the EU accession countries and (b) potentially covered by amnesty schemes. [170863]
§ Mr. BrowneThe total number of asylum seekers (including dependants), and those from the EU accession countries (including dependants), in each parliamentary constituency in the City of Newcastle as at the end of December 2003 that were supported by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) are shown in the table:
Parliamentary constituency Number of asylum seekers supported by NASS1 (including dependants) Number of asylum seekers supported by NASS1 from the EU accession countries (including dependants) Newcastle upon Tyne Central 430 20 Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend 475 20 Newcastle upon Tyne North 145 10 Tyne Bridge 515 40 Total 1,565 90 1 Number of asylum seekers supported by NASS includes those supported in NASS accommodation and those in receipt of subsistence only support Figures are rounded to the nearest 5. Data about how many of the asylum seekers supported by NASS in the City of Newcastle that are potentially covered by amnesty schemes are not available.
An announcement detailing the results of the exercise announced by my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary in October 2003, including the available statistical information, will be made when the exercise is completed. We would not wish to release figures until all those potentially qualifying applicants have had an opportunity to respond to our queries.
We have made good progress in considering the cases originally identified The bulk of cases have been processed with the majority, where the applicants have responded to our queries having been decided. We are reliant on the applicants we contact replying to our queries promptly. Those not doing so are being reminded.
Information on the number of asylum seekers supported by NASS is published quarterly. The next publication covering the first quarter of 2004 (January to March) will be available on 25 May on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration 1.html.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers in(a) the UK, (b) West Yorkshire, (c) Kirklees and 1399W (d) Huddersfield have exhausted the appeals process and have been refused on asylum and human rights grounds and are unable to be returned to their own country because it is not considered safe. [171374]
§ Mr. BrowneI regret that the information requested on appeal rights exhausted is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case files.
Where an asylum seeker has had their claim refused and has exhausted their appeal rights it is considered safe for them to return to their own country.
Statistics on initial asylum decisions, appeals and removals are published quarterly. Copies of the most recent publications are available from the Library of the House or on the Home Office
Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html
§ John RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time taken is for the removal of asylum seekers whose claims have been unsuccessful following judicial review. [171416]
§ Mr. BrowneInformation on final decisions made on asylum applications, and on the interval between the final refusal of the application—including any appeal—and subsequent removal of the person concerned is not readily available. This could be obtained only by examination of individual case files to obtain information on the outcomes of initial decisions, of subsequent appeals to the Immigration Appellate Authority, the Tribunal and for Judicial Review, and of cases which have been reconsidered, which would incur disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which countries' citizens can claim hard case support if their asylum claims are refused on appeal. [171887]
§ Mr. Browne[holding answer 12 May 2004]: Failed asylum seekers of any nationality may seek support under section 4 of the 1999 Act if they are seeking to return but cannot do so immediately, and fulfil the other criteria set out in the National Asylum Support Service Policy Bulletin 71 which was published on 25 March.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when failed Iraqi asylum seekers are expected to return home. [171888]
§ Mr. Browne[holding answer 12 May 2004]: All asylum and human rights claims are considered on their individual merits in accordance With our obligations under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Should a claim be refused and any appeal before the Independent Immigration Appellate Authority be unsuccessful, it means for that individual it is safe to return. We would expect these individuals to return home.
We have reached agreement with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq to begin enforced returns. Work is currently under way on the practicalities of the returns programme, and returns will begin as soon as these arrangements are finalised.
1400WWe are currently facilitating the return of those who wish to go home through the International Organisation for Migration.
§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made towards setting a target for the proportion of asylum claims, including final appeal, to be determined within six months. [173136]
§ Mr. BrowneThe confirmed target will be published shortly.
§ Tom CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women from Russia have sought political asylum in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and how many applications have been granted. [173288]
§ Mr. BrowneThe table shows asylum application and initial decision data for Russian nationals, by gender, for those years for which data are available:
Asylum applications1 received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions2, on applications, 2001–03, Russian males and females 20013,4 20024 20034 Applications Male Female Male Female Male Female Total applications 310 140 170 125 175 110 Initial decisions Total initial decisions 610 285 235 120 235 135 Grants of asylum 15 5 10 5 5 5 Grants of ELR 25 10 15 5 5 * Grants of HP/DL n/a n/a n/a n/a 5 5 Refusals 570 270 210 110 215 130 n/a Not applicable 1 Figures rounded to nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2. Figures may not sum to totals due to rounding. 2 Information is of initial decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals determinations or other subsequent decisions, 3 Revised figures 4 Provisional figures. Information on asylum applications and initial decisions, by gender, is published in the annual statistical bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom. Copies of these publications and others relating to general immigration to the UK are available from the Library and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate web site at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html.
§ Sir Sydney ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many failed asylum seekers were removed from the UK in(a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04. [173300]
§ Mr. BrowneThe available information is in the table.
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Removals and voluntary departures of asylum applicants1,2 2001–023 2002–03 April-December 20033 Principal applicants 9,630 10,915 9,870 Dependants 1,970 4,065 3,180 Total 11,600 14,975 13,050 1 Includes persons departing 'voluntarily' after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration, and removals on safe third country Found 2 Figures rounded to the nearest five, and may not sum due to rounding. 3 Provisional figures. Information on asylum seekers who were removed from the UK in the first quarter of 2004 will be published on 25 May on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate web site at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html.
§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in the last five years have sought asylum from(a) Zimbabwe and
Asylum applications1 received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions 2, on applications, 1999 to 2003, nationals of Afghanistan Principal applicants Decisions Applications3 Cases considered under normal procedures4 Backlog clearance exercise Total Port In Country Total decisions Grants of asylum Grants of ELR Grants of HP Grants of DL Total refusals Grants of ELR under backlog criteria5,6 Non compliance refusals under backlog criteria5,7 1999 3,975 2,610 1,365 1,295 15 1,180 n/a n/a 90 10 — 2000 5,555 2,610 2,945 2,590 375 695 n/a n/a 1,515 10 — 20018 8,920 4,560 4,360 12,365 2,320 7,500 n/a n/a 2,545 n/a n/a 20029 7,205 1,765 5,440 8,175 115 4,765 n/a n/a 3,300 n/a n/a 20039 2,290 700 1,590 3,920 40 205 * 350 3,320 n/a n/a
Asylum applications1 received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions 2, on applications, 1999 to 2003, nationals of Zimbabwe Principal applicants Decisions Applications Cases considered under normal procedures4 Backlog clearance exercise Total Port In Country Total decisions Grants of asylum Grants of ELR Grants of HP Grants of DL Total refusals Grants of ELR under backlog criteria5,6 Non compliance refusals under backlog criteria5,7 1999 230 180 50 115 — — n/a n/a 105 10 * 2000 1,010 820 190 595 20 10 n/a n/a 525 35 5 20018 2,140 1,510 625 2,130 120 45 n/a n/a 1,970 n/a n/a 20029 7,655 5,305 2,350 6,235 2,240 110 n/a n/a 3,885 n/a n/a 20039 3,280 715 2,565 4,175 870 10 5 20 3,275 n/a n/a n/a = Not applicable. 1 Figures rounded to nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2. 2 Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions. 3 May exclude some cases lodged at Local Enforcement Offices between January and March 2000. 4 Cases considered under normal procedures may include some cases decided under the backlog criteria. 5 Cases decided under pragmatic measures aimed at reducing the pre '96 act asylum backlog. 6 May include a small number of cases where asylum has been granted. 7 May include a small number of cases where the application has been refused on substantive grounds. 8 Provisional figures. 9 Revised figures. The table shows the available data, for outcomes of adjudicator appeals at the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA) for nationals of Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, the latest period for which published data are available. Appeals may relate to initial decisions made in earlier periods. Corresponding information on appeals
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Outcome of Appeals1,2 determined by adjudicators of the Immigration Appellate Authority excluding dependants, nationals of Afghanistan, 2001 to 2003 Number of principal appellants Appeals determined by adjudicators2 Allowed Dismissed Withdrawn Total Total As a percentage of Determined Total As a percentage of Determined Total As a percentage of Determined 2001 595 110 18 260 44 225 38 2002 2,040 230 11 1,235 60 580 28 2003 5,535 710 13 4,420 80 405 7 (b) Afghanistan; how many have been refused; and how many have been returned. [174246]
§ Mr. BrowneThe table shows the number of asylum applications and initial decisions for nationals of Afghanistan and Zimbabwe (excluding dependants), 1999 to 2003 where available. Initial decisions do not necessarily relate to applications received in the same period.
to the Immigration Appellate Tribunal (IAT) relating to Afghan and Zimbabwean nationals (including appeals made by the Secretary of State) is not available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case files.
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Outcome of Appeals1,2 determined by adjudicators of the Immigration Appellate Authority, excluding dependants, nationals of Zimbabwe, 2001 to 2003 Number of principal appellants Appeals determined by adjudicators2 Allowed Dismissed Withdrawn Total Total As a percentage of Determined Total As a percentage of Determined Total As a percentage of Determined 2001 1,115 255 23 815 73 40 4 2002 2,405 925 38 1,370 57 110 5 2003 4,080 1,165 29 2,735 67 180 4 1Provisional figures rounded to nearest 5 (except percentages), with * = 1 or 2. Figures may not add up due to independent rounding. Data on appeal outcomes by nationality in this table are derived from electronic sources. 2 Figures include cases withdrawn by the Home Office, as well as the appellant. Removal of failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe was suspended on 15 January 2002; we did not at the time consider that it was unsafe to return them but in view of the rapidly changing circumstances it was appropriate not to enforce returns. The suspension has been maintained since that date and although we still consider it would not be unsafe to return failed asylum seekers there, enforced returns would be inappropriate in the wider context of the Government's position on Zimbabwe. An exception to the suspension policy in cases where a failed asylum seeker has a serious criminal record or their presence in the United Kingdom is not otherwise conducive to the public good was announced on 5 February 2004. In such circumstances enforced return to Zimbabwe would be considered by Ministers on a case-by-case basis.
Removals and voluntary departures1of asylum applicants, excluding dependants, Afghan and Zimbabwean nationals, January 1999 to September 20032 Principal applicants Nationality 19993 20003 20013,4,5 20023,4,5,6 January to September 20033,4,5,6 Afghanistan — — 125 395 460 Zimbabwe — — 210 110 45 1Includes persons departing Voluntarily' after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration, and removals on safe third country grounds. 2 Figures rounded to the nearest five, with * = 1 or 2, and may not sum due to rounding. 3 Figures may include a small number of dependants leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes 4Figures exclude dependants of asylum seekers removed. Data on dependants removed have only been collected since April 2001. 5 Data have been estimated due to data quality issues. 6 Provisional figures. Information on asylum applications, initial decisions, appeals and removals are published in quarterly web pages, the next publication covering the first quarter of 2004 will be available on the 25 May 2004, and in the annual statistical bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom. Copies of these publications and others relating to general immigration to the UK are available from the Library and from the Home Office Research 1404W Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html
§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his latest estimate is of the number of asylum seekers who have failed the appeal process and are ineligible for National Asylum Support Service, Government or local authority financial support in(a) the UK and (b) Leeds. [174248]
§ Mr. BrowneThe information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Information on asylum appeals and the number of asylum seekers supported by NASS are published quarterly; the next publication covering the first quarter of 2004 will be available on the 25 May 2004. Copies of these publications and others relating to general immigration to the UK are available from the Library and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html
§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions and guidance have been given to officials on the number of days asylum seekers who have failed the appeal process must spend on the streets before they qualify for hard case support; and if he will make a statement. [174249]
§ Mr. BrowneThere is nothing to prevent the majority of failed asylum seekers from leaving the country voluntarily and there is no need for them to become homeless or destitute. They can seek assistance with return from either the Immigration Service or the International Organisation for Migration. Those unable to leave immediately who are complying with the process for return may, on application, be provided with accommodation under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, as amended. There is no need for anyone in this group to become homeless or destitute. They can seek accommodation as soon as they receive the final decision on their asylum claim. In addition, letters sent to failed asylum seekers by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) notifying them of the termination of support now give advice on the availability of section 4 support. MASS has also now introduced a one-stage application process in order to reduce the time taken to process applications.
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§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in the last five years have sought asylum from Iraq; and how many have been refused. [174337]
§ Mr. BrowneThe tables show applications and initial decisions and appeal decisions for nationals of Iraq, 1999–2003 where available. Initial decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same period, neither do appeal outcomes necessarily relate to decisions made in the same period.
Initial decisionsCases considered under normal procedures7 Backlog clearance exercise Grants of asylum Grants of ELR Grants of HP Grants of DL Total refusals Grants of ELR under backlog criteria4,8 Non compliance refusals under backlog criteria8,9 1999 315 320 n/a n/a 100 5 10— 20004 845 2,455 n/a n/a 2,220 10 10— 20015 830 1,885 n/a n/a 6,315 n/a n/a 20026 715 8,195 n/a n/a 2,995 n/a n/a 20036 75 2,105 10— 45 4,530 n/a n/a 1 Figures rounded to nearest 5 2 Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions. 3 May exclude some cases lodged at Local Enforcement Offices between January and March 2000. 4 May include a small number of cases where asylum has been granted. 5 Revised figures 6 Provisional figures 7 Cases considered under normal procedures may include some cases decided under the backlog criteria. 8 Cases decided under pragmatic measures aimed at reducing the pre '96 act asylum backlog. 9 May include a small number of cases where the application has been refused on substantive grounds. 10 Equals 1 or 2
Outcome of appeals1,2 determined by adjudicators of the Immigration Appellate Authority, excluding dependants: Nationals of Iraq, 2001 to 2003 Number of principal appellants Appeals determined by adjudicators2 Allowed Dismissed Withdrawn Total Total As percentage of determined Total As percentage of determined Total As percentage of determined 2001 1,655 445 27 1,065 64 145 9 20023 4,570 1,130 25 2,970 65 470 10 20033 5,400 495 9 4,465 8 445 8 1 Figures rounded to nearest 5 (except percentages). Figures may not add up due to independent rounding. Data on appeal outcomes by nationality in this table are derived from electronic sources. 2 Figures include cases withdrawn by the Home Office, as well as the appellant. 3 Provisional figures Information on asylum applications, initial decisions and appeals are published in quarterly web pages, the next publication covering the first quarter of 2004 will be available on the 25 May 2004, and in the annual statistical bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom. Copies of these publications and others relating to general immigration to the UK are available from the Library and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate web site at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html.