Equality and the UK asylum process

Women and Equalities Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 27 Sep 2021 Closed: 6 Feb 2024 Parliament page
An inquiry to examine the fairness of the UK asylum process, looking at the experiences of people seeking asylum who have a range of protected characteristics (as defined in the UK’s Equality Act). Read the terms of reference to find out more about this inquiry .
23 Recommendations
13 Conclusions
1 Report
6 Oral sessions
8 Letters
7 Events
Activity timeline 23 events
19 Sep
2023
Report published
27 Jun
2023
Report published
19 Apr
2023
Correspondence
1 Feb
2023
Correspondence
25 Jan
2023
Oral evidence
25 Jan
2023
Correspondence
25 Jan
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
18 Jan
2023
Correspondence
16 Jan
2023
Correspondence
16 Jan
2023
Correspondence
16 Jan
2023
Correspondence
4 Jul
2022
Informal meeting · Birmingham
Oral evidence sessions 6 sessions
25 Jan 2023
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Women and Equalities Committee
Dan Hobbs · Home Office Mandy Ivemy · Home Office The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP · Home Office
15 Jun 2022
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Equality and the UK asylum process
Andy Hewett · Refugee Council Esther Baleh Jennifer Blair · Ukraine Advice Project UK Zahra Shaheer
27 Apr 2022
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Equality and the UK asylum process
Esther Muchena · Scottish Refugee Council Ms Rivka Shaw · Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU) Rosalind Bragg · Maternity Action
23 Mar 2022
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Equality and the UK asylum process
Annie . · VOICES Network Kathryn Cronin · Garden Court Chambers Ms Pip McKnight · Refugee Women Connect Ms Priscilla Dudhia · Women for Refugee Women Roxana . · VOICES Network
23 Feb 2022
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Equality and UK asylum process
Dr S Chelvan Leila Zadeh · Rainbow Migration Professor Nuno Ferreira · University of Sussex
26 Jan 2022
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Equality and the Asylum Process
David Goodhart · Policy Exchange Jonathan Thomas · Social Market Foundation Ms Zoe Gardner · Joint Council on the Welfare of Immigrants Rossella Pulvirenti · Manchester Metropolitan University
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fourth Report - Equality and the UK asylum process HC 93 27 Jun 2023 36 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
7 results
Clear
3 Recommendation Accepted
Fourth Report - Equality and the U…
Establish a specialist team for women's asylum claims involving sexual and gender-based violence.
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 … Read more
Government Response
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 team or mandating multiple interviews for all such cases.
Government Equalities Office
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8 Conclusion Accepted
Fourth Report - Equality and the U…
Biased interpreters negatively impact asylum claims, especially in SOGI and religious belief cases.
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 … Read more
Government Response
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 to prevent prejudice from influencing claim determinations.
Government Equalities Office
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19 Recommendation Accepted
Fourth Report - Equality and the U…
Conduct urgent review of asylum safeguarding and increase dedicated safe accommodation provision.
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 … Read more
Government Response
The government states that the safety and wellbeing of all asylum seekers is of paramount importance and describes existing safeguarding measures, policies, and procedures.
Government Equalities Office
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21 Recommendation Accepted
Fourth Report - Equality and the U…
Publish robust safeguarding policy for contingency accommodation, including needs-based risk assessments for vulnerable groups.
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 … Read more
Government Response
The government states that the safety and wellbeing of all asylum seekers is of paramount importance and describes existing safeguarding measures, policies, and procedures.
Government Equalities Office
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29 Conclusion Accepted
Fourth Report - Equality and the U…
Suspend notices of intent for Rwanda removals and review initial screening procedures thoroughly.
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 … Read more
Government Response
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.
Government Equalities Office
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32 Recommendation Accepted
Fourth Report - Equality and the U…
Replicate the successful VPRS approach within the UK Resettlement Scheme and in future migrant crises.
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 … Read more
Government Response
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 to strengthen integration.
Government Equalities Office
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35 Recommendation Accepted
Fourth Report - Equality and the U…
Address online visa barriers for Ukrainian pathways and expand disabled access support across the UK.
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 … Read more
Government Response
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 recommendation to expand 'super-sponsor' support to the Devolved Administrations.
Government Equalities Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 36 of 23 classified
Accepted 7
Accepted in Part 9
Acknowledged 4
Deferred 1
Not Addressed 7
Rejected 8
Total 23 recs + 13 conclusions
Correspondence 8 letters
19 Apr 2023 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Immigration relating to follow-up evidence to the Committee’s inquiry on Equality and the UK asylum process
Parliament page
1 Feb 2023 To committee Response from the Director of Detention Services on further questions relating to the Derwentside visit
Parliament page
25 Jan 2023 To committee Letter from the Committee to Frances Hardy, Director of Detention Services, Immigration Enforcement, Home Office, relating to Derwentside IRC
Parliament page
18 Jan 2023 To committee Letter from the Chair to Tom Pursglove on Equality and the UK Asylum Process
Parliament page
16 Jan 2023 To committee Letter from the Director of Detention Services relating to the Committee’s visit to Derwentside
Parliament page
16 Jan 2023 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Immigration relating to the asylum inquiry
Parliament page
16 Jan 2023 From committee Letter to the Head of Detention Progression and Returns Command relating to the Committee’s visit to Derwentside
Parliament page
15 Jun 2022 Correspondence from EHRC regarding of a report into the experience and treatment of low paid ethnic minority workers in health and adult social care
Parliament page