MPs to quiz Blunkett on asylum
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, is to be called before an influential committee of MPs to justify his policy towards asylum seekers.
Members of the Home Affairs select committee have called for the inquiry amid increasing concerns that the Government abuses the human rights of asylum seekers.
They are expected to question Mr Blunkett on proposals to remove benefit from asylum seekers who choose to live with relatives instead of in accommodation centres. He is also expected to explain why officials are taking so long to process asylum claims.
Amnesty International published a report last week which raised serious doubts over government claims that Afghanistan is now safe for returning refugees.
The Home Office has already announced that it will offer financial incentives to refugees from Afghanistan in a bid to make them go home.
Amnesty International has criticised the Home Office and the United Nations for "encouraging and promoting the return of Afghan refugees". Its report states: "Insecurity, including ... human rights abuses of women ... and the continued bombing campaign by US-led coalition forces all present clear dangers to returning refugees."
Earlier this month, Amnesty accused the Government of breaching international conventions after it rejected a plea for help from two children seeking asylum at its Melbourne consulate.
The two boys, aged 12 and 13, who are either Afghans or Pakistanis, escaped during a mass break-out from the Woomera detention centre and travelled more than 600 miles to Melbourne.
The Immigration Advisory Service (IAS) and the Refugee Council, which both campaign to improve refugees' rights, will also be giving evidence to the Home Affairs committee. The IAS will tell the committee that economic migrants should be free to come to Britain legally for six months to find a job.
Research released by the Home Office last week shows that few asylum seekers were motivated to come to Britain because of state benefits. Keith Best, the chief executive of IAS, said that this showed that Britain's asylum policies were based on "false assumptions".
"The Government's policy on asylum is full of inconsistencies and knee-jerk reactions," he said. "Most asylum seekers would far rather come to this country by a lawful route than risk their lives clinging to the bottom of a train."
Meanwhile, the Home Office has abandoned plans to remove 30,000 failed asylum-seekers a year. The ditching of the ambitious aim came after the Home Office admitted it had been able to remove fewer than 1,000 failed asylum-seekers a month.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments