Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she make permanent the change introduced in response to the covid-19 outbreak which permits the registration of in-country initial asylum claims in six regional locations.

We take the wellbeing of asylum claimants extremely seriously and have put in place a range of measures to register asylum claims in a safe way for claimants and officials in response to COVID 19.

Asylum in the UK should continue to be sought at the first available opportunity, this means on arrival, at a port of entry. For those who have failed to claim on arrival, or whose circumstances have changed since arrival, can lodge a claim at an in-country location – this is usually by appointment at the Asylum Intake Unit (AIU) in Croydon.

The asylum registration process requires the enrolment of biometrics (photographs and fingerprints) to complete immigration and security checks against Home Office systems. This process requires attendance in person and cannot be undertaken remotely.

The AIU in Croydon has continued operate throughout the COVID 19 pandemic, however in line with Government COVID 19 guidance and restrictions, additional regional locations have been temporarily introduced to ensure asylum seekers are able to safely register their claims. The asylum screening and registration process has been temporarily abridged to minimise in person contact and limit travel required but remains under ongoing review. The AIU and the regional registration locations all facilitate social distancing for the safety of claimants and officials.