Latest news with #JonFeatonby
Arab News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
UK must restart processing of Syrian asylum claims: Charity
LONDON: Government ministers in the UK are facing calls to restart the processing of Syrian asylum applications after new figures revealed that more than 7,000 people remain in 'indefinite limbo.' After the fall of the Assad regime in December, the UK paused decisions on Syrian asylum and permanent resettlement claims, the BBC reported. The pause has remained in place for five months, but now many Syrians living in Britain have been left in limbo, awaiting decisions on their applications. The Refugee Council charity has called for the resumption of claim processing on a case-by-case basis, while the government said decisions were paused 'while we assess the current situation.' The Home Office lacks 'stable, objective information available to make robust assessments of risk' relating to Syrians, a source told the BBC, adding that Britain's policy on the matter 'will remain under constant review.' The newest figures, for the end of March, show that 7,386 Syrians in the UK are awaiting an initial decision on their asylum claims. After the UK paused decisions on Syrian asylum applications, the number of claims filed by Syrian nationals fell by 81 percent, figures show. Those claiming asylum often lack the right to work in Britain, but are provided with government-funded accommodation and financial support. This leaves many Syrians 'stuck in limbo' and increases the burden on the taxpayer, said Jon Featonby, chief policy analyst at the Refugee Council. At the end of March, more than 5,500 Syrians were living in UK government-funded accommodation. The British government has pledged to clear the large backlog of overall asylum claims, but Featonby said the Syrian issue is creating a 'blockage' in the system. He added that many Syrians also fear the UK government changing its position on the Syrian Arab Republic and judging it a safe country. This could lead to the rejection of thousands of asylum applications.
Daily Mirror
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Keir Starmer faces three demands to tackle small boats at EU leaders summit
EU leaders will descend on London today, and the Refugee Council has called on governments to agree a string of steps to tackle small boats in the Channel Keir Starmer must use today's crunch EU talks to agree radical steps to tackle small boat crossings, campaigners say. So far at least 11 people have died this year trying to cross the Channel and more than 12,000 have reached the UK in dangerous vessels. The PM has been urged to expand safe routes and compel European leaders to take back people with an active asylum claim in their country. A damning report by the Refugee Council today says the current enforcement approach is not working. Jon Featonby, chief policy analyst, at the charity, said: 'The Government is right to tackle the awful gangs that profiteer from desperate people who are simply trying to find safety. "But the fact remains, that these measures alone are so far not achieving the intended outcome, with deadly crossings rising. Most men, women and children taking these journeys are fleeing countries like Sudan, where war is forcing them from their homes. "No one risks their life on a flimsy boat in the Channel unless they are running from horrors more acute than what they find on the sea." A report by the Refugee Council demands leaders create a new way for people to travel safely to claim asylum, with a focus on family reunion. It also said people in the UK should be returned to other EU countries if they already have an active asylum case under consideration. And the document says the UK should agree to become part of a "solidarity mechanism" - meaning it will help out EU countries struggling to accommodate asylum claims. Mr Featonby said: 'These rising numbers mean the Government must immediately move from enforcement-only to a comprehensive approach which also includes cross-national co-operation and ensuring refugees can access safe and legal pathways."
