UK immigration overhaul slated as ‘vague, unworkable, cruel and potentially unlawful’

Government consultation a sham, say activists

People coming on unauthorised routes will be denied an automatic right to asylum under the plans (Getty Images)

Immigration and human-rights organisations have slated plans to overhaul the immigration and asylum system as “vague, unworkable, cruel and potentially unlawful”.

The activists have also labelled a government consultation on the changes “a sham” and a “thinly veiled public-relations exercise”, claiming the consultation is designed to lead people to endorse the proposals.

Home secretary Priti Patel is proposing that refugees who arrive in Britain via unauthorised routes be denied an automatic right to asylum.

Instead, they will be regularly reassessed for removal and will have their access to benefits limited.

Most people granted refugee status in the UK arrive via unauthorised routes. The government says the proposals are “firm but fair”.

But the plans – and the way ministers are seeking feedback on them – have been condemned by 192 groups, including Refugee Action and Freedom from Torture.

They say the consultation is “poorly designed, confusing and inaccessible, and uses questions clearly designed to lead people into endorsing Priti Patel’s plans”.

They also say it gives organisations fewer than six full working weeks to respond to a process for which three months is normal, and that the questions “virtually exclude” people who will be most affected. “Not one asks people about their personal experiences of fleeing persecution or seeking safety in the UK,” the joint statement says.

The consultation is available only in English and Welsh, which could further exclude refugees, it’s argued.

The statement says of the overhaul: “It is a half-baked political manifesto. It lays out vague, unworkable, cruel and potentially unlawful plans justified by misleading or simply incorrect evidence, wrapped up in racist and divisive language.”

Steven Shyaka, of refugee network RAS Voice, said: “I am not sure that without help many people with lived experience of asylum will be able to properly understand the technical implications behind the legal terms and policies.”

Chai Patel, of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, accused Ms Patel of bypassing the civil service by outsourcing the consultation to a private company.

“It is a sham intended to mislead Parliament into believing there is merit to plans which will deny safety to people fleeing war and persecution.”

Minister for immigration compliance and justice Chris Philp said: “With each day that passes, more vulnerable people are falling prey to organised crime gangs and risk dying in the back of lorries and at sea.

“We have a responsibility to put the new plan for immigration into action so that we can fix the broken asylum system, helping people based on need, not the ability to pay people-smugglers.

“The consultation has been open for over a month and thousands of stakeholders, as well as members of the public, have shared their views. We will consider all responses carefully before bringing forward legislation.”

The Home Office denied the plan was “half-baked”, saying it consisted of 40 pages of detailed proposals. This month the UK has resettled refugees from countries including Iraq, Turkey, Egypt and Lebanon, it said, adding: “The consultation is being run by an independent and impartial organisation who will ensure that the full range and balance of opinions are reported back in full. We also intend to speak directly to refugees and asylum-seekers as part of our consultation and engagement process.”