Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to speed up the processing of applications for asylum.

The Home Office are currently dealing with a sustained high level of new asylum claims, including from those who have recently arrived on small boats, which is creating additional pressures on the asylum system.

We are, nevertheless, committed to ensuring asylum claims are considered without unnecessary delay and ensuring that those who need protection are granted as soon as possible so that they can start to integrate and rebuild their lives.

The Home Office have an asylum transformation programme that will speed up and simplify decision making, reduce the time people spend in the asylum system and decrease the number of people who are awaiting an interview or decision. These initiatives include conducting shorter, more focused interviews or omitting interviews where it is appropriate to do so, streamlining decision templates for grants and refusals and focusing on improving quality to ensure decisions are right first time.

We are also increasing the use of technology, improving screening so that more information is captured as early as possible, and have extensive recruitment and training plans in place, including career progression options that will aid the retention of staff.