Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Not Addressed
Paragraph: 93
Asylum initial decisions are too slow, often wrong, and subject to tribunal delays.
Conclusion
In order to fulfil the Prime Minister’s pledge to clear a substantial part of the backlog of asylum cases this year, the Home Office will need many more highly-trained decision-makers making initial decisions faster. Data on decision-making rates and appeal outcomes show initial decisions are far too slow and too often wrong. Evidence also shows delays in the Home Office engaging with the Tribunals and actioning its decisions.
Government Response Summary
The government's response describes existing specialised training modules for asylum decision-makers and past collaboration with experts, stating it will seek to do so in any future review. It does not address the committee's concerns about the need for more highly-trained decision-makers, the slowness or wrongness of initial decisions, or delays in engaging with Tribunals.
Paragraph Reference:
93
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
In relation to the recommendations at paragraphs 93 and 94, the initial training provided to asylum decision makers already includes specialised modules on sexuality and gender identity, gender issues and modern slavery. We have previously collaborated with external experts including academics when designing our training materials on, for example, medical evidence, religion or belief and sexuality, and will seek to do so in any future review of our current training materials.