Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 24
24
Rejected
Paragraph: 153
Nationality and Borders Act equality assessment inadequate, risking unequal effects on vulnerable asylum seekers.
Conclusion
We agree with legal and policy experts that the Government’s equality impact assessment of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022’s asylum provisions is inadequate. There are clear risks, acknowledged by the Government, of unequal effects on asylum claimants with vulnerabilities related to Equality Act protected characteristics. These include women and girls with histories of sexual and gender- based violence and abuse; LGBT people who have complex sexual orientation and gender-based claims; and disabled people. Without effective mitigations, these groups are likely to be disadvantaged by the new procedures. It is unacceptable that the Home Office remains unable to set out a clear plan to monitor and mitigate unequal effects.
Government Response Summary
The government believes any differential impact is because of an individual’s conduct and is proportionate to control illegal migration and reduce crime.
Paragraph Reference:
153
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
We published the Equality Impact Assessment for the Illegal Migration Act on 10 May 2023. The Assessment is clear any differential impact is because of an individual’s conduct and is proportionate in order to achieve the legitimate aim of controlling illegal migration and reducing crime.