More than half of the people whose asylum and visa claims will be rejected under tightened human rights laws will continue to live in the UK, according to the Home Office's own assessment. Documents released on Tuesday show that plans to set new limits on article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights are expected to result in an additional 11,700 people having their claims rejected annually. However, an impact assessment reveals that 55% of those refused under article 8 reforms are expected to remain in the UK.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The documents were released after Shabana Mahmood introduced the immigration and asylum bill to parliament. The bill proposes to charge asylum seekers £10,000 before they are granted settled status, establish a new appeals system without judges, and impose new restrictions on trafficking claims. The legislation will allow article 8 claims only for a tightened definition of a 'core family unit,' including spouses, parents, and children. Those who establish families while living in the UK illegally will no longer be able to use their spouse or children to avoid deportation.
Criticism from Refugee Council
Imran Hussain, the director of external affairs at the Refugee Council, criticized the bill, stating it could cause 'chaos in the Home Office and for the next prime minister for years to come.' He added: 'It would create a whole new architecture of bureaucracy for the Home Office by building a new appeals system and imposing an unfair extra tax on refugees, while ignoring the poor quality of initial decisions that is actually driving significant delays and costs.'
Impact Assessment Details
According to the bill's impact assessment, the Home Office will see 'an estimated 11,700 additional refusals due to the impact of the article 8.' A Home Office internal analysis said 'the proportion of refused applicants that remain in the UK after being denied article 8' was 55%. The department also found that 34,000 asylum seekers were granted the right to stay in the UK last year on the basis of article 8, with an estimated lifetime cost of £141,000 after tax per migrant who invoked ECHR rights.
Modern Slavery Act Changes
The bill will also change the Modern Slavery Act to end what the government says is abuse of the legislation. Modern slavery claims will have to be lodged within a certain time after arriving in the UK, and each individual will be restricted to one claim. Ministers hope the bill will create a firm but fair asylum system and reduce pull factors driving illegal migration. However, some Labour MPs are expected to oppose the bill over its strictest measures.
Housing and Background
Last week, the Home Office revealed it was planning to use more former military barracks to house thousands of asylum seekers after closing 20 more hotels in England. A Home Office source said article 8 is a human rights route based on family or private life, affecting individuals seeking asylum and those wishing to remain based on family ties.
