Asylum Backlog: Time for real action from the Home Office

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Commenting on the latest asylum backlog statistics which revealed there are still 128,786 people waiting for an initial decision on their claim, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said:

“For all their gimmicks and grandstanding, today’s figures prove that the Conservatives have failed to deliver a credible plan to clear the asylum backlog. 

“The backlog remains sky-high, no matter which way you slice it. More than 128,000 people are still waiting for an initial decision on their claim. 128,000 people who are trapped in limbo - unable to work and forced to depend on government funds.

“It’s time for real action from the Home Office. Adopting Liberal Democrat plans for a dedicated unit to improve the speed and quality of asylum decision-making would be a good first start.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Aslyum backlog statistics can be found here