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This petition was submitted during the 2019 to 2024 Parliament

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Closed Increase staffing to reduce waiting times for Asylum seeker claims

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We want the Government to increase staffing for processing asylum applications to shorten waiting times for refugees. Shortening waiting times should mean less is spent supporting asylum seekers for accommodation and subsistence.

According to the Immigration Statistics from the Home Office, while 48,540 asylum applications were lodged in 2021, only 14,572 cases had initial decisions made. As of 30 June 2022, 122,213 cases were pending initial decisions.

The inefficiency of the processing of asylum applications is contributing the ongoing costs of housing asylum seekers, with over £6.5 million a day spent on housing asylum seekers in hotels. Meanwhile, the time of asylum seekers has been wasted waiting for their decisions in often overcrowded temporary accommodation.

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  • Related activity

    MPs debate asylum applications and asylum seekers’ mental health and wellbeing

    On Tuesday 27 June, Gareth Bacon MP led a Westminster Hall debate in Parliament on asylum applications and asylum seekers’ mental health and wellbeing.

    During the debate MPs discussed waiting times for consideration of applications for asylum, and how these could be improved.

    What are Westminster Hall debates?

    Westminster Hall is the second Chamber of the House of Commons.

    Westminster Hall debates give MPs an opportunity to raise local or national issues and receive a response from a government minister. Any MP can take part in a Westminster Hall debate.

    Debates in Westminster Hall take place on ‘general debate' motions expressed in neutral terms. These motions are worded ‘That this House has considered [a specific matter]'.

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    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 10 May 2023.