A report presented the findings of research into factors affecting the successful dispersal of asylum seekers. Local authorities with higher proportions of dispersed asylum seekers tended to have higher proportions of vacant housing stock, residents in the lowest social grade, and a significantly increased likelihood of incidents of harassment and assault of asylum seekers.
Source: Allen Anie, Nicholas Daniel, Carolyne Tah and Ann Petruckevitch, An Exploration of Factors Affecting the Successful Dispersal of Asylum Seekers, Online Report 50/05, Home Office (web publication only)
Links: Report | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Dec
An article described the economic outcomes and performance of Britain's immigrant communities. Immigrants from some ethnic minority groups, and in particular females, were particularly disadvantaged, with Pakistanis and Bangladeshis at the lower end of this scale.
Source: Christian Dustmann and Francesca Fabbri, 'Immigrants in the British labour market': Subtitle, Fiscal Studies, Volume 26 Number 4, Institute for Fiscal Studies (020 7291 4800)
Links: Abstract
Date: 2005-Dec
A new book said that the existing system of immigration controls were inherently racist and irrational.
Source: Steve Cohen, Deportation is Freedom!: The Orwellian world of immigration controls, Jessica Kingsley Publishers (020 7833 2307)
Links: Summary
Date: 2005-Dec
A think-tank report examined the extent to which government proposals for a new managed migration system would address current and future labour market needs.
Source: Laurence Cooley, Macha Farrant and Dhananjayan Sriskandarajah, Selecting Wisely: Making managed migration work for Britain, Institute for Public Policy Research (020 7470 6100)
Links: Report
Date: 2005-Nov
A report said that the government s managed migration policy was too focused on convincing voters that migration was under control , and failed economically and ethically.
Source: Migration: A welcome opportunity - A new way forward, RSA (Royal Society of Arts) (020 7930 5115)
Links: Report | Summary | RSA press release
Date: 2005-Nov
The Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill was given a third reading. The Bill contained measures to strengthen border controls and prevent illegal working.
Source: Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill, Home Office, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 16 November 2005, columns 1021-1072, TSO
Links: Text of Bill | Explanatory notes | Hansard | Liberty briefing
Date: 2005-Nov
A report by a committee of peers said that the United Kingdom's experience of European Union enlargement showed that migrant workers did not reduce job opportunities for the indigenous work force.
Source: Economic Migration to the EU, Fourteenth Report (Session 2005-06), HL 58, House of Lords European Union Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report
Date: 2005-Nov
There were 97.2 million international arrivals from outside the Common Travel Area in 2004, 7 per cent more than in 2003.
Source: Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom, 2004, Cm 6690, Home Office, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | Home Office press release
Date: 2005-Nov
The Law Lords ruled that the withdrawal of all support for asylum seekers, leaving them destitute, was contrary to Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights forbidding inhuman and degrading treatment. (Section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 sought to deny those failing to apply for asylum at the earliest opportunity the limited support normally made available to asylum seekers.)
Source: Regina v. Secretary of State for the Home Department (Appellant) ex parte Adam (et al.), UKHL 66 (Session 2005-06), House of Lords Judicial Office (020 7219 3111)
Links: Text of judgement | JUSTICE press release | Shelter press release
Date: 2005-Nov
A special issue of a journal examined the labour market effects of immigration.
Source: Economic Journal, November 2005
Links: Table of contents
Date: 2005-Nov
A report said that serious damage was being done to vulnerable children by section 9 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants) Act 2004, which removed or restricted the welfare entitlement of families who had reached the end of the asylum process and who had 'failed to take reasonable steps' to leave the country).
Source: Nancy Kelley and Lise Meldgaard, The End of the Road: The impact on families of section 9 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants) Act 2004, Barnardo s (01268 520224)
Links: Report | Barnardo's press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Nov
There were 6,315 asylum applications (excluding dependants) between July and September 2005, 27 per cent lower than a year earlier.
Source: Asylum Statistics: Third Quarter 2005 - United Kingdom, Home Office (020 7273 2084)
Links: Report | Home Office press release
Date: 2005-Nov
An article examined the adequacy of welfare provision in relation to the financial and housing needs of four different groups of forced migrants. Statutory provision was failing to meet the basic financial and housing needs of many forced migrants.
Source: Peter Dwyer and David Brown, 'Meeting basic needs? Forced migrants and welfare', Social Policy and Society, Volume 4 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2005-Oct
A paper said that social surveys should include more detailed questions that would enable policy-makers and politicians to better understand the underlying factors influencing attitudes towards immigration and immigrants, including asylum seekers and refugees.
Source: Heaven Crawley, Evidence on Attitudes to Asylum and Immigration: What we know, don t know and need to know, Working Paper 23, Centre on Migration, Policy and Society/University of Oxford (01865 274711)
Links: Paper (pdf) | Compas press release (pdf)
Date: 2005-Oct
223,000 more people were estimated to have migrated to the United Kingdom than left in 2004. The net inflow was 72,000 higher than the previous year, and the highest since the existing method of estimation was adopted in 1991.
Source: Press release 20 October 2005, Office for National Statistics (0845 601 3034)
Links: ONS press release (pdf) | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Oct
A new book examined the role played by refugee community organizations.
Source: David Griffiths, Nando Sigona and Roger Zetter, Refugee Community Organisations and Dispersal: Networks, resources and social capital, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2005-Oct
A guide said that social housing providers needed to engage more constructively in securing accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers, and in making community support services available to assist integration.
Source: John Perry, Housing and Support Services for Asylum Seekers and Refugees: A good practice guide, Chartered Institute of Housing (024 7685 1700) for Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Links: Report (pdf) | JRF Findings 0455 | JRF press release
Date: 2005-Sep
The Home Office issued a joint statement, with employer representatives and trade unions, supporting managed migration on economic grounds.
Source: Managed Migration: Working for Britain, Home Office (0870 000 1585), Confederation of British Industry, and Trades Union Congress
Links: Statement
Date: 2005-Sep
The number of people who applied for asylum in the second quarter of 2005 was 6,220 (11 per cent lower than the previous quarter, and 21 per cent lower than a year earlier).
Source: Asylum Statistics: 2nd Quarter 2005 - United Kingdom, Home Office (020 7273 2084) Links: Report (pdf) | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Aug
There were 97.2 million international arrivals in 2004 from outside the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, 7 per cent more than in 2003.
Source: Jill Dudley, Mike Roughton, James Fidler and Simon Woollacott, Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom, 2004, Statistical Bulletin 14/05, Home Office (020 7273 2084)
Links: Bulletin (pdf)
Date: 2005-Aug
Applications for asylum, excluding dependants, fell by 31 per cent in 2004 to 33,960.
Source: Tina Heath and Richard Jeffries, Asylum Statistics: United Kingdom 2004, Statistical Bulletin 13/05, Home Office (020 7273 2084)
Links: Bulletin (pdf)
Date: 2005-Aug
A report (based on research in the east of England) said that migrant workers continued to face barriers preventing them from making full use of their skills, and often leaving them heavily in debt.
Source, Sonia McKay and Andrea Winklemann-Gleed, Migrant Workers in the East of England, East of England Development Agency (01223 484699) Links: Report (Word file) | Summary (Word file) | BBC report
Date: 2005-Aug
The Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill was given a second reading. The Bill contained measures to strengthen border controls and prevent illegal working.
Source: Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill, Home Office, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 5 July 2005, columns 188-271, TSO
Links: Text of Bill | Explanatory notes | Hansard | JUSTICE briefing (pdf) | HOC Library research paper (pdf)
Date: 2005-Jul
The government began consultation on a "simpler, clearer, more selective" points-based system for managed migration (excluding asylum-seekers or refugees). From 30 August 2005 people given refugee status would no longer qualify automatically for indefinite leave to remain, but instead would be given leave for 5 years.
Source: Selective Admission: Making Migration Work for Britain, Home Office (0870 000 1585)
Links: Consultation document (pdf) | Hansard | Refugee Council press release
Date: 2005-Jul
A report on the education experience of refugee and asylum-seeker children said that schools were struggling to meet their needs, and that the job had been made more difficult by the government's policy of dispersal.
Source: Madeleine Arnot and Halleli Pinson, The Education of Asylum-seeker and Refugee Children: A study of LEA and school values, policies and practices, Faculty of Education/University of Cambridge, available from General Teaching Council for England and Wales (0870 001 0308)
Links: Report (pdf) | GTC press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Jul
An audit report said that although the government had increased its capacity for removing failed asylum applicants, the number of people removed or returning voluntarily each month was still less than the number of unsuccessful cases.
Source: Returning Failed Asylum Applicants, HC 76 (Session 2005-06), National Audit Office, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf) | NAO press release | Refugee Action press release | Refugee Council press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Jul
An audit report said that contracts agreed by the Home Office to provide accommodation for asylum seekers had not always provided value for money.
Source: National Asylum Support Service: The provision of accommodation for asylum seekers, HC 130 (Session 2005-06), National Audit Office, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf) | NAO press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Jul
Campaigners challenged the government to reveal how many people who had sought asylum were detained each year, and for how long. They said that detention was in many cases "protracted, inappropriate, disproportionate and unlawful".
Source: Seeking Asylum is not a Crime: Detention of people who have sought asylum, Amnesty International UK (020 7814 6241)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf) | Amnesty press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Jun
The Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill was published, containing measures to strengthen border controls and prevent illegal working. Campaigners said that the proposed points system for those applying for entry would be a retrograde step - stemming from a "neo-colonialist" belief that immigrants did not deserve rights.
Source: Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill, Home Office, TSO (0870 600 5522) | Press release 22 June 2005, Immigration Advisory Service (020 7967 1200)
Links: Text of Bill | Explanatory notes | IAS press release | HOC Library research paper (pdf)
Date: 2005-Jun
The government responded to a report by a committee of MPs on new legal aid arrangements for onwards appeals in immigration cases.
Source: Government Response to the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee's Report on Legal Aid Asylum Appeals, Cm 6597, Department for Constitutional Affairs, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Response (pdf) | MPs report
Date: 2005-Jun
The government responded to a report by a committee of MPs on the operation of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.
Source: Government Response to the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee's Report into the Operation of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) and the Use of Special Advocates, Cm 6596, Department for Constitutional Affairs, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Response (pdf) | MPs report
Date: 2005-Jun
A report said that new proposals for more immigration restrictions could deter vital workers, entrepreneurs and researchers from coming to the United Kingdom - as well as people who needed human rights protection.
Source: Recognise Rights, Realise Benefits, Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (020 7251 8708)
Links: JCWI press release
Date: 2005-Jun
A government research report estimated the size of the illegal immigrant population. Using one of a number of potential methods, it produced an estimate of 430,000 unauthorized migrants - equivalent to 0.7 per cent of the total population.
Source: Jo Woodbridge, Sizing the Unauthorised (Illegal) Migrant Population in the United Kingdom in 2001, Online Report 29/05, Home Office (web publication only)
Links: Report (pdf) | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Jun
A report said that the immigration system denied asylum seekers the chance to present or defend their case adequately, because of a lack of access to essential legal advice.
Source: Justice Denied: Asylum and immigration legal aid ? A system in crisis, Asylum Aid (020 7377 5123) and Bail for Immigration Detainees
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf) | Asylum Aid press release
Date: 2005-Jun
A think-tank report said that negative public attitudes to asylum seekers were threatening to undermine progress in race relations over the previous twenty years, and were best challenged at the local level.
Source: Miranda Lewis, Asylum: Understanding Public Attitudes, Institute for Public Policy Research, available from Central Books (0845 458 9911)
Links: Summary | IPPR press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Jun
A think-tank paper said that the complex relationship between gender and migration remained relatively under-researched, and was not taken adequately into account in policy-making.
Source: Eleonore Kofman, Parvati Raghuram and Matt Merefield, Gendered Migrations: Towards gender sensitive policies in the UK, Institute for Public Policy Research (020 7470 6100)
Links: Paper (pdf) | Summary
Date: 2005-Jun
A research report examined early evidence on the impact on the labour market of migrant flows from the eight new member countries of the European Union. Overall, the economic impact of accession appeared to have been modest, but broadly positive.
Source: Jonathan Portes and Simon French, The Impact of Free Movement of Workers from Central and Eastern Europe on the UK Labour Market: Early evidence, Working Paper 18, CDS/Department for Work and Pensions (0113 399 4040)
Links: Working paper (pdf)
Date: 2005-May
A think-tank report said that the press had endorsed and legitimized the abuse of asylum-seekers.
Source: Roy Greenslade, Seeking Scapegoats: The coverage of asylum in the UK press, Institute for Public Policy Research (020 7470 6100)
Links: Report (pdf) | Guardian report
Date: 2005-May
A paper said that far-right groups in Britain were increasingly using environmental and social justice concerns to argue against immigration. To counter this strategy, environmental groups needed to link with those who had to deal with racism every day as a matter of strategy, process and structure.
Source: Sarah Sexton, Nicholas Hildyard and Larry Lohmann, We're a Small Island: The greening of intolerance, The Corner House (0845 330 7928)
Date: 2005-May
The number of people who applied for asylum in the first quarter of 2005 was 7,015 (17.1 per cent lower than the previous quarter, and 21.5 per cent lower than a year earlier).
Source: Asylum Statistics: First Quarter 2005 - United Kingdom, Home Office (020 7273 2084) Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2005-May
A report set out the findings of a project which explored different methods of teaching school-aged asylum-seekers and refugees to speak English, integrate quickly, and access the curriculum.
Source: Vijayshree Appa, A Study on How Asylum Seekers and Refugees Access Education in Four Local Authorities in England, National Children s Bureau (020 7843 6029)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary | Children Now report
Date: 2005-May
The government announced plans (in the Queen's speech) for an Immigration and Asylum Bill. The Bill would create a points system favouring skilled migrants, and speed up the applications process.
Source: House of Commons Hansard, Debate 17 May 2005, columns 29-31, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Hansard | Guardian report
Date: 2005-May
A report examined the causes of destitution among asylum-seekers and refugees in Scotland. It said that they were being failed by the National Asylum Support Service.
Source: What's Going On? A study into destitution and poverty faced by asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland, Refugee Survival Trust (0131 554 6776)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf) | IRR press release
Date: 2005-Apr
A think-tank report said that immigrants contributed relatively more to public revenues than their counterparts born in the United Kingdom.
Source: Dhananjayan Sriskandarajah, Laurence Cooley and Howard Reed, Paying Their Way: The fiscal contribution of immigrants in the UK, Institute for Public Policy Research, available from Central Books (0845 458 9911)
Links: Report (pdf) | IPPR press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Apr
A report by a committee of MPs concluded that there were a number of defects with the 'special advocate' system as it operated through the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, particularly in relation to support provided to special advocates and the disclosure of exculpatory material.
Source: The Operation of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) and the Use of Special Advocates, Seventh Report (Session 2004-05), HC 323, House of Commons Constitutional Affairs Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | JUSTICE press release (pdf)
Date: 2005-Apr
A new Asylum and Immigration Tribunal came into operation on 4 April 2005, designed to streamline the appeals process. It merged the Immigration Adjudicators and the Immigration Appeal Tribunal. Changes were introduced to the appeals processes, judicial structure, and rights of access to higher courts. Lawyers expressed concern that the new system would restrict access to justice for asylum-seekers with legitimate claims.
Source: Press release 4 April 2005, Department for Constitutional Affairs (020 7210 8500) | Press release 1 April 2005, Law Society (020 7242 1222)
Links: DCA press release | Law Society press release
Date: 2005-Apr
A report by a committee of MPs on legal aid for asylum appeals expressed concern that the system was being used to restrict legitimate appeals.
Source: Legal Aid: Asylum appeals, Fifth Report (Session 2004-05), HC 276, House of Commons Constitutional Affairs Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | Law Society press release | Refugee Council press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Mar
The government published plans designed to promote the social integration of refugees. Automatic back-payments of income support would be replaced by a loan system targeted at helping integration. A mentoring scheme would give new refugees intensive one-to-one support with a dedicated caseworker to help them find work and update specialist skills. Asylum seekers would only be able to seek housing assistance in their dispersal area, to relieve pressure on London and the south east region.
Source: Integration Matters: A national strategy for refugee integration, Home Office (0870 000 1585) | Working to Rebuild Lives: A refugee employment strategy, Department for Work and Pensions (020 7962 8176)
Links: Home Office report (pdf) | DWP report (pdf) | DWP summary (pdf) | Home Office press release | Refugee Council press release
Date: 2005-Mar
A think-tank pamphlet (by a Conservative MP) argued that total immigration should be limited to meet humanitarian obligations and 'genuine economic benefits'.
Source: Peter Lilley MP, Too Much of a Good Thing?: Towards a balanced approach to immigration, Centre for Policy Studies (020 7222 4488)
Links: Summary (pdf)
Date: 2005-Mar
A report from the Church of England challenged Christians to live up to their fundamental principles on the issue of asylum, by offering hospitality to refugees and asylum seekers, and by fighting for their cause.
Source: Hannah Skinner, A Place of Refuge: A positive approach to asylum seekers and refugees in the UK, Church of England, available from Church House Publishing (020 7898 1451)
Links: Report (pdf) | C of E press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Mar
A report (by a group opposed to large-scale immigration) said that the government's claims for the economic benefits of immigration were, at best, disingenuous .
Source: Migrants: Do they bring economic benefit?, MigrationwatchUK (01869 337007)
Links: Report
Date: 2005-Mar
A report challenged the government s policy of detaining children for the purpose of immigration control, and said that there were workable alternatives which would protect children and improve the asylum process.
Source: Heaven Crawley and Trine Lester, No Place for a Child: Children in UK immigration detention - Impacts, alternatives and safeguards, Save the Children (020 7703 5400)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf) | SCF press release
Date: 2005-Feb
The number of people who applied for asylum in the fourth quarter of 2004 was 8,465 (2 per cent lower than the previous quarter, and 22 per cent lower than a year earlier).
Source: Asylum Statistics: 4th Quarter 2004 - United Kingdom, Home Office (020 7273 2084) | Press release 22 February 2005, Home Office (0870 000 1585) Links: Report (pdf) | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Feb
A collection of essays examined the economics of migration, in order to gain a greater understanding of how immigrants performed in the labour market; of the barriers that immigrants might face to successful social and economic integration; and what the framework of a progressive, managed migration policy might look like.
Source: Tony Pilch (ed.), Perspectives on Migration, Smith Institute (020 7592 3618)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Feb
A report provided an account of the circumstances of young asylum-seekers in Wales. A third of children seeking asylum in Wales said they experienced racial abuse.
Source: Uncertain Futures, Save the Children in Wales (029 2034 5224)
Links: Summary | WAG press release
Date: 2005-Feb
The government began consultation on new rules required for the fast-track appeal process to operate following introduction of the single tier Asylum and Immigration Tribunal.
Source: Asylum and Immigration Tribunal - Fast Track Procedure Rules, Department for Constitutional Affairs (020 7210 8500)
Links: Consultation document (pdf) | DCA press release
Date: 2005-Feb
A survey was published of the illegally resident population in detention. It explored individuals motivations for coming to the United Kingdom, their routes both to the country and into illegal residence, and their experiences while living in the UK - including their means of support, their involvement in the job market, and their use of public services.
Source: Richard Black, Michael Collyer, Ronald Skeldon and Clare Waddington, A Survey of the Illegally Resident Population in Detention in the UK, Online Report 20/05, Home Office (web publication only)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
Date: 2005-Feb
The government published a five-year strategy for asylum and immigration. The strategy set out a wide-ranging plan to ensure that only those who benefited the country could enter to work or study; to strengthen border controls; to crack down on abuse and illegal immigration; and to increase removals.
Source: Controlling our Borders: Making migration work for Britain, Cm 6472, Home Office, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 7 February 2005, columns 1181-1198, TSO
Links: Strategy (pdf) | Hansard | Home Office press release | IAS press release | JCWI press release | Refugee Council press release | TUC press release | Guardian report | Community Care report
Date: 2005-Feb
A study explored a range of initiatives designed to involve dispersed asylum seekers in the communities in which they were living. It concluded that some government policies worked to stigmatize and separate communities, rather than enable them to live and mix together. It argued that refugee people seeking asylum should have the right to work legally.
Source: Bogusia Temple and Rhetta Moran, Learning to Live Together: Developing communities with dispersed refugee people seeking asylum, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 430033)
Links: Report (pdf) | JRF Findings 0085
Date: 2005-Feb
A report by a committee of MPs examined the system for asylum decisions. It made recommendations for improvement, including matching decision-making capacity to the number of applications, and improving the timeliness and quality of decision-making.
Source: Improving the Speed and Quality of Asylum Decisions, Fourth Report (Session 2004-05), HC 238, House of Commons Public Accounts Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Feb
A report (by a group opposed to large-scale immigration) said that government claims for the contribution that immigration made to the economy were 'grossly misleading'.
Source: Contribution of Immigration to GDP, MigrationwatchUK (01869 337007)
Links: Report
Date: 2005-Jan
The opposition Conservative party published plans on asylum and immigration. They said that they would introduce a points system for economic migrants, and an annual quota for refugees - even if that meant opting out of the United Nations convention. The plans were strongly criticized by refugee groups.
Source: Controlled Immigration, Conservative Party (020 7222 9000) | Press release 24 January 2005, Refugee Council (020 7820 3042)
Links: Plan (pdf) | Conservative Party press release | Refugee Council press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Jan