Withdrawal Of Asylum Support For In-Country Applicants

EDM number 461 in 2002-03, proposed by Lynne Jones on 07/01/2003.

That this House supports the statement from the Refugee Council, Shelter, Amnesty International UK, Asylum Rights Campaign, CRISIS, JCORE, JCWI, Maternity Alliance, Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture, Migrant Helpline, Oxfam, Refugee Action and Refugee Arrivals Project against the Government's decision to deprive destitute in-country asylum applicants of the right to food and shelter from 8th January, notes that the National Asylum Support Service is only available to people who show they would otherwise be destitute and people who lose this support through the operation of section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 will have nothing else to turn to; is deeply concerned that section 55 will effect all in-country applicants who represent two-thirds of those applying for asylum; notes that refugees are often unable to claim asylum at ports of entry for the reasons cited by the 1996 Social Security Advisory Committee, including lack of knowledge of the UK asylum process, language difficulties and trauma; further notes that this is supported by official figures showing that 65 per cent. of all successful claims, including exceptional leave to remain, are made by in-country applicants; regrets that the Government focus on deterrence of people seeking asylum has seen a more punitive philosophy take hold of government policy; notes that this has had no long-term effect in reducing numbers of asylum applications but has had a detrimental effect on the well-being of refugees; and believes that all asylum applicants should have their cases considered fairly and be treated with dignity.

This motion has been signed by a total of 55 MPs, 1 of these signatures have been withdrawn.