Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
First Report - Channel crossings, migration and asylum
Home Affairs Committee
HC 199
Published 18 July 2022
Recommendations
13
Rejected
Para 48
Delay announcing new channel crossings policy until sufficient detailed planning is complete.
Recommendation
There is a worrying trend in Home Office policy announcements being made before detailed policy has been worked through, tested and even agreed between Government Departments, as exemplified by early announcement both of military control of channel operations and the …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation, stating that policy announcements related to channel crossings are made following extensive inter-departmental discussions and agreements, contrary to the committee's suggestion.
Home Office
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22
Rejected
Work with French authorities on child protection investment and restore family reunion rights for minors.
Recommendation
The Government should work with the French authorities to consider the feasibility of a programme of investment in trained child protection workers to work with vulnerable child migrants along the French coast. In line with our own previous recommendation from …
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Government Response Summary
The government does not accept the recommendation to restore pre-EU exit family reunion rights for unaccompanied minors, stating its 'single global approach' is fairer and does not encourage dangerous journeys. It also largely deflects responsibility to France for investing in child protection workers along the French coast.
Home Office
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28
Rejected
Para 127
Ensure independent legal guardianship is available for all separated asylum children and young people.
Recommendation
Every young asylum seeker should be provided with a trusted and independent adult who is qualified to support their interactions with immigration and asylum processes and who can where appropriate help them to settle in the UK. We welcome the …
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Government Response Summary
The government states there is 'no intention to expand the scope' of the Independent Child Trafficking Guardian (ICTG) service to include all young asylum-seeking children in England and Wales, citing its specialist nature, while outlining existing support for UASC.
Home Office
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Conclusions (5)
2
Conclusion
Rejected
Para 14
While we agree with the Home Secretary that the asylum system is broken, we invite her to make it clear, given the long-term and growing pressures on the system, that it was not migrants crossing the Channel who broke it.
Government Response Summary
The government did not accept the recommendation, instead reiterating that the high number of migrants making illegal and dangerous journeys across the Channel places intense pressure on and increases costs within the asylum system.
3
Conclusion
Rejected
Para 17
Addressing the asylum ‘work in progress’ caseload must be the Department’s highest priority within asylum operations. Doing that would unlock substantial resources, reduce current pressures on contingency and institutional accommodation and enable wider system reform including communities’ capacity to welcome—even sponsor— refugees.
Government Response Summary
The government explicitly rejected making the asylum caseload its highest priority, stating its primary focus is to deter and reduce illegal migration, while simultaneously working to speed up decision-making and reduce caseloads through various ongoing measures.
8
Conclusion
Rejected
Para 33
We therefore recommend that the Government enter into discussion with the French Government on providing UK asylum assessment facilities within France, enabling juxtaposed consideration of claims in the same way that juxtaposed checks of passports and customs are carried out for Eurostar and Eurotunnel crossings or for ferries to and …
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation to discuss providing UK asylum assessment facilities in France, stating it could not consider claims from large numbers overseas and that those needing protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach.
27
Conclusion
Rejected
Para 126
We have recommended that the Government commission an independent review of children’s experiences of the asylum system. This review should include examination of the support needs for young asylum seekers, including failed asylum seekers, and refugees up to the age of 25 and should assess the cost of providing those …
Government Response Summary
The government has no current plans to mandate the use of independent Youth Welfare Officers in England by local authorities, stating that social workers are best placed to provide support, and broadly refers to existing commitments regarding asylum seeker welfare.
33
Conclusion
Rejected
Para 145
We recognise that this crisis has been building over many years. But this Government’s response, characterised first by inattention and then by poor decision-making, has exacerbated these problems and undermined public confidence in the asylum system and in the management of the border. The issue has not been helped by …
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the committee's criticism of inattention and poor decision-making, asserting that it has been actively pursuing bilateral/multilateral solutions and has comprehensive monitoring in place for its multi-faceted approach to illegal migration, including existing safe and legal routes.