December 2022
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This conference looked at the next steps for the asylum system in the UK.
Delegates examined key issues related to the Nationality and Borders Act, including implementation of new standards of proof, appeals processes, and levels of protection.
There was discussion on the improvement of processes, decision-making and safeguarding in the asylum system - following reports from the Home Affairs Committee and the government-commissioned Independent review of Border Force, both calling for investment in staff and technology, and raising concerns over the policy coordination and implementation.
It came amid concerns about conditions and overcrowding at Manston migrant centre in Kent.
With the government announcing plans to bring back the Bill of Rights Bill, the conference was also an opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to consider priorities for government policy and action under a new prime minister.
It also came as the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration published a series of inspections, with one raising concerns about the Home Office’s use of hotels to house unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
Overall, areas for discussion included:
- policy: the approach to asylum strategy, implementation and reform under a new administration - priorities for government agencies, local authorities and other affected stakeholders
- arrivals, screening and triage:
- improving the quality of initial screening, interviews and processing
- collection and use of personal and biometric data at entry points
- options to streamline decision making and fast-tracking specific cases
- working with international partners
- safeguarding:
- early identification of unaccompanied children and vulnerable individuals
- protection against exploitation - tackling the challenges of safeguarding in hotels and other accommodation
- improving inter-agency coordination and provision of support services
- asylum applications and appeals:
- the balance between powers and protections - considering the principles of a fair and efficient appeals system
- implementation of new time frames and standards of evidence - options for criminal legislation
- opportunities to reduce the number of appeals through triage and high-quality screening
- innovation: priorities for new technology and automation to assist and streamline decision making
- the workforce: what is needed from staff training to support effective initial processing - building capacity and skills in case workers
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with Daniel Hobbs, Director, Asylum, Protection and Enforcement, Migration and Borders Group, Home Office; Tony Smith, Managing Director, Fortinus Global; and former Director General, UK Border Force; and Professor Alexander Betts, Professor of Forced Migration and International Affairs and Director, Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford. The chairs were Baroness Ludford, Member, Joint Committee on Human Rights and sponsor of the Refugees (Family Reunion) Bill; and Anne McLaughlin MP, Shadow SNP Spokesperson for Immigration, Asylum and Border Control.
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from the DfT; DSTL; HM Treasury; Home Office; ICIBI; Legal Aid Agency; Ministry of Justice; NAO; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government; and the UKVI - as well as parliamentary pass holders from the House of Lords.
