Fourth Report - Equality and the UK asylum process

The government states it already publishes some requested data and is developing a new caseworking system (Atlas) to improve data recording capabilities. It hopes to publish further disaggregated details, such as grounds for asylum, once this new system is established, acknowledging current challenges with data format.

The government rejects establishing a training programme for interpreters, stating they cannot mandate it for non-Home Office employees but note they adhere to a code of conduct. However, it states it has already redesigned its training program for asylum decision-makers, emphasizing sensitive exploration of sexual and gender identity.

The government states its policy is that moves should only be made where safety advice has been sought from a clinician and acted on and that they have updated internal guidance to improve data collection and monitoring of moves for pregnant women and new mothers but does not address the request to publish that data.

The government confirms its commitment to the Adults at Risk in Immigration Detention policy to mitigate harm to vulnerable adults. However, it rejects abandoning the detention of asylum-seeking children, instead outlining limited circumstances under the Illegal Migration Act where such detention may occur, and noting that children will mostly be transferred to local authority care with provisions for early immigration bail.

The government states it already publishes data on some protected characteristics like age, sex, nationality, and pregnant women in detention, along with length and place of detention. It acknowledges methodological challenges in collecting full protected characteristics data but is actively working on understanding this and developing a new caseworking system (Atlas) to improve data recording.

The government does not abandon the intention but states that unaccompanied children will only be removed in very limited circumstances and only once they reach adulthood. Children would only be relocated as part of family groups, subject to a further assessment of Rwanda’s capacity.

The government publishes some statistics and acknowledges challenges in collecting full disaggregated equality data, stating active work is underway to improve this with a new case working system. It confirms that a joint committee and an independent monitoring committee have been established to monitor the relocation process and ensure those removed do not suffer harm, with the independent committee publishing annual reports.

The government details its commitment to Pathway 2 of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme, noting 40 arrivals by March 2023 and having requested 2,000 referrals from UNHCR in the first year. It states it will continue to receive referrals but will manage flows based on need and accommodation availability, declining to set explicit future targets.

The government acknowledges the vulnerability of pregnant women and new mothers and states that it has updated internal guidance to make clear the requirement to record and monitor moves of these women between asylum accommodation settings.