Asylum Claims: Religious Conversion

Debate between Lord Roberts of Llandudno and Lord Hanson of Flint

Monday 13th October 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

The noble Lord is absolutely right: it is integral to the success of the immigration and asylum system that those who have no right to remain in the United Kingdom are removed speedily. Since July 2024, this Government have improved the performance on those removals. We need to engage with our partner nations to ensure that countries are willing to receive individuals, but the basic principle of the asylum system is that we are open to meeting our international obligations. If someone seeks asylum and it is approved, they will be accepted. If it is not approved, they have no right to live in the United Kingdom and that speedy removal should take place, as the noble Lord said.

[Lord Roberts of Llandudno (LD)]

How many appeals have overturned the original decision? How many claims that were originally denied have been reversed on appeal?

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

I hope the noble Lord will forgive me, but I do not have the figures directly in front of me and I would not wish to give him a spurious figure. I will reflect on his question and give him an answer within short order by that old-fashioned method of pen, or email.

Immigration: Human Rights

Debate between Lord Roberts of Llandudno and Lord Hanson of Flint

Monday 13th January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

I am really pleased that the noble Lord likes the answers—we have been waiting 14 years to give them, and it is a great pleasure to be here. We are progressing on the matter of child migrants; there are specific issues that we will look at on that. The number of unaccompanied child migrants is currently approximately 4,000, which is still too high. We need to look at the points that the noble Lord has mentioned. I hope that I will be able to give him some satisfactory answers in the future.

[Lord Roberts of Llandudno (LD)]

My Lords, about eight years ago, we had a crisis in Syria. Some 3,000 unaccompanied children were refused admission into the UK, even though some of us had worked hard to try to get them homes. Can the Minister tell us whether there is any information whatever about what happened to those kids? We would all be happy to know that.

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Roberts, for that question. He will know from previous discussions and debates on the issue of unaccompanied children that we have identified that around 90 children have gone missing. It is the priority of the Government to find out where they are. The prime responsibility for their safeguarding initially fell on Kent County Council. It is an important issue and one we need to address. As part of future considerations, we will continue to do that.