 It is untrue to say people claiming asylum in the UK are here without good cause – the vast majority have fled their homes, sometimes leaving family behind, to escape some of the most dangerous countries in the world. It is time ministers stopped wasting money on the unworkable and cruel scheme to send people seeking asylum to Rwanda and instead focused on practical steps to end this dreadful crisis. We need safe and workable solutions which recognise the scale of the problem and which treat people with compassion. Ministers must set up and resource a new unit to process asylum claims so that the backlog can be cleared. They should create new reception facilities so that people arriving here are treated with dignity and respect. They should work with housing providers and local authorities to increase accommodation for people seeking asylum. Our ministers need to talk to other governments ( Getty Images) And they sh){kind=link}
Mark Davies of the Refugee Council says people claiming asylum in the UK are here for a good cause – with many fleeing their homes in the most dangerous cities in the world
The crisis in the asylum system tarnishes the UK’s reputation as a place where those seeking protection from war, conflict and persecution will find protection.
The Manston processing centre is severely overcrowded, with men, women and children forced to sleep on the floor. There has been a diphtheria outbreak and officials warn of fire risk. Ministers were warned of the risks a year ago â and chose to do nothing.
Meanwhile more than 100,000 people are living in limbo as they wait for their asylum claim to be heard â at untold human cost and millions of pounds each day in hotel fees.
We have also talked to children who have been wrongly treated as adults and sent to inappropriate accommodation as a result.