Asylum claims falling
The Government has outlined figures today that suggest it is on course to meet a target for reduction in September.
The target was set against the peak month of last year, which saw nearly nine thousand people claim asylum in October. The Government then set the goal of halving this monthly level for September 2003.
In December the number of claims had fallen to under seven thousand and today’s figures for the first three months of this year show an average of just over 5,000.
The closure of Sangatte near the channel in France appears to have had an impact on numbers. Dover, where many cross channel asylum seekers lodged their claim has seen a sharp fall in numbers, and immigration authorities have taken the temporary measure of sending asylum seekers to the port town from other parts of the country to make use of spare accommodation spaces.
However, Shadow home affairs secretary Oliver Letwin hinted at possible anomalies in the figures. Steering clear of accusing the government of fiddling figures outright, he did suggest to the BBC that they might have fallen because of some form of manipulation. He also hinted that it might be that those who would otherwise seek asylum have been granted visas instead.
The Government vehemently dismissed this claim, saying that the falls in figures were the result of measures bought in, such as declaring some countries safe, and restricting benefits for claimants.
However, in a recent select committee, Home Office Minister Beverly Hughes said that there would be no static limit to the number of work permits granted to foreign nationals, and that several new industries would be added to the list of those that are helped to solve labour shortages with visa opportunities.
Asylum levels for this year are still likely to be well above levels in some previous years, notably 1997 when only 30,000 claims were received, but the fall is likely to be welcomed by those that believe the perception of services being unable to cope has led to recent electoral success for the far right.
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