Asylum figures

In figures released on 22nd February, the Home Office have reported that Asylum applications fell in the last quarter of 2004 by two per cent, and remain at the second lowest level since 1997. Immigration Minister Des Browne reported that four out of five UK Asylum applications are now decided within 2 months, compared to the 20-month period the process took in 1997. Mr Browne also stated the Government’s intention to step up the number of removals for failed asylum applications, under the 5-year strategy announced earlier this month.