Recommendations & Conclusions
7 items
3
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Equality and the UK asy…
Accepted
The Home Office’s heavy reliance on a single substantive asylum interview disadvantages women with histories of sexual and gender-based violence and abuse. These women will invariably be experiencing the effects of trauma and related mental health issues, with potential effects on memory and their ability to provide a cogent, chronological …
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The Home Office’s heavy reliance on a single substantive asylum interview disadvantages women with histories of sexual and gender-based violence and abuse. These women will invariably be experiencing the effects of trauma and related mental health issues, with potential effects on memory and their ability to provide a cogent, chronological narrative of what has happened to them. This can unfairly harm their claim. We recommend the Home Office establish a specially trained team to determine the claims of women with histories of sexual and gender-based violence and abuse. It should not rely on a single substantive interview to determine such claims. Women should be afforded sufficient time and space to recount distressing and traumatic experiences in a safe and supportive environment. They should be supported in all aspects of the process by an independent specialist advocate.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that its existing “Gender issues in the asylum claim” policy already ensures interviews are responsive to trauma, allows breaks and subsequent interviews where needed, identifies vulnerable claimants, and permits companions in exceptional circumstances. They do not commit to establishing a specially trained …
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Government Equalities Office
8
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Equality and the UK asy…
Accepted
Biased or prejudiced interpreters can adversely affect a person’s asylum claim, particularly in cases where claims are based on sexual orientation or gender identity and religion or renunciation of religious belief. No interpreter contracted by the Home Office should be able to influence the determination of any claim, particularly where …
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Biased or prejudiced interpreters can adversely affect a person’s asylum claim, particularly in cases where claims are based on sexual orientation or gender identity and religion or renunciation of religious belief. No interpreter contracted by the Home Office should be able to influence the determination of any claim, particularly where this is motivated by their own beliefs, prejudices or stereotyping.
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Government response AI summary
The government explains that interpreters adhere to a code of conduct setting out impartiality expectations, and while unable to mandate training, provides guidance to staff. It also notes redesigned training for asylum decision makers and assurance checks, which emphasize sensitive exploration of identity and aim …
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Government Equalities Office
19
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Equality and the UK asy…
Accepted
The Home Office should conduct an urgent review of safeguarding policies and practices across all asylum support contracts, to ensure the asylum support contracts safeguarding framework is being consistently and effectively implemented in all settings. It should publish its review and an action plan within three months. We further recommend …
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The Home Office should conduct an urgent review of safeguarding policies and practices across all asylum support contracts, to ensure the asylum support contracts safeguarding framework is being consistently and effectively implemented in all settings. It should publish its review and an action plan within three months. We further recommend the Home Office increase contracted provision of female-only and family-only accommodation, and dedicated safe asylum accommodation for LGBT people.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that the safety and wellbeing of all asylum seekers is of paramount importance and describes existing safeguarding measures, policies, and procedures.
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Government Equalities Office
21
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Equality and the UK asy…
Accepted
As part of the safeguarding review and action plan recommended above, the Home Office must publish a robust safeguarding policy in relation to the use of hotels and other facilities as contingency accommodation. This should include a requirement for a needs-based risk assessment to be carried out before any women, …
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As part of the safeguarding review and action plan recommended above, the Home Office must publish a robust safeguarding policy in relation to the use of hotels and other facilities as contingency accommodation. This should include a requirement for a needs-based risk assessment to be carried out before any women, families, children, or LGBT people at risk of hate crime are housed in hotels and other types of contingency accommodation alongside single men. (Paragraph 134) Equality and the UK asylum process 75
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Government response AI summary
The government states that the safety and wellbeing of all asylum seekers is of paramount importance and describes existing safeguarding measures, policies, and procedures.
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Government Equalities Office
29
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Equality and the UK asy…
Accepted
We are deeply concerned that the Home Office’s case-by-case risk assessments prior to issuing notices of intent to remove potentially inadmissible asylum claimants to Rwanda appear to be inadequate. There is evidence that a significant number of vulnerable people, to whom the removal process would very likely be harmful, have …
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We are deeply concerned that the Home Office’s case-by-case risk assessments prior to issuing notices of intent to remove potentially inadmissible asylum claimants to Rwanda appear to be inadequate. There is evidence that a significant number of vulnerable people, to whom the removal process would very likely be harmful, have received such notices. The Home Office should suspend all notices of intent and review its initial screening procedures. No new notices of intent should be issued until the legal challenges to the policy are complete. Should removals to Rwanda be operationalised, we believe thorough vulnerability assessments should be undertaken prior to issuing notices of intent, to avoid the risk of harm to individuals.
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Government response AI summary
The government defends its existing Notice of Intent process and Adults at Risk policy, stating that these mechanisms already allow individuals to raise vulnerabilities and ensure regular reviews, without committing to suspending notices or reviewing initial screening procedures as recommended.
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Government Equalities Office
32
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Equality and the UK asy…
Accepted
The Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) provides a recent good practice example of an effective resettlement scheme, which was successfully scaled up in response to a migrant crisis. The scheme was adequately and predictably funded with a clear target for the number of refugees to be resettled, providing local authorities …
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The Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) provides a recent good practice example of an effective resettlement scheme, which was successfully scaled up in response to a migrant crisis. The scheme was adequately and predictably funded with a clear target for the number of refugees to be resettled, providing local authorities with the certainty they needed to plan and take part with confidence. The VPRS included a clear package of integration support, with improvements made to housing and employment support over time. The Government should replicate the VPRS approach in the UK Resettlement Scheme and in response to future migrant crises.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) is a direct successor to the VPRS, building on its success with a flexible approach and a core tariff for local authorities based on the VPRS integration package. It also highlights the new Refugee Employability Programme …
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Government Equalities Office
35
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Equality and the UK asy…
Accepted
The online visa application processes for the Ukrainian humanitarian protection pathways are a barrier to access for several groups of people with protected characteristics. These include older and younger people, Roma and other ethnic minority groups, and disabled people. We appreciate that the schemes were designed at pace and that …
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The online visa application processes for the Ukrainian humanitarian protection pathways are a barrier to access for several groups of people with protected characteristics. These include older and younger people, Roma and other ethnic minority groups, and disabled people. We appreciate that the schemes were designed at pace and that barriers to access may have been unavoidable in the early stages. However, more than a year later we expect action to have been taken to improve access to visa applications for those previously excluded. The Government should 78 Equality and the UK asylum process set out in response to this Report the actions it has taken or plans to take to address these barriers. In relation to disabled people’s access to the scheme and suitable accommodation, we recommend the Government expand across the UK the enhanced support previously available via the Scottish and Welsh governments’ “super-sponsor” schemes.
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Government response AI summary
The government details existing measures to address online visa application barriers, such as allowing sponsors to fill forms, providing translations, offering evidential flexibility, and a helpline. For disabled people, it notes councils are advised to check accommodation suitability and conduct needs assessments, but redirects the …
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Government Equalities Office