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Asylum target criticism short-sighted: Refugee Action responds to UKBA inspectors report

Friday February 26th 2010

Criticism of the governments failure to meet targets of concluding 60 per cent of new asylum cases within six months were today branded sort-sighted by England's leading refugee charity.

Responding to today's report by UK Borders Agency (UKBA) independent inspector John Vine, Refugee Action said:

"This criticism of UKBA is short-sighted and potentially damaging to those seeking sanctuary. It is obviously important that applications are resolved speedily. But its also vital that applications are resolved accurately. Those in need asylum are among the most vulnerable people in our society, and a wrong decision can mean a death sentence."

ENDS

For more information please contact Julia Ravenscroft, Press Officer at Refugee Action, on 0161 831 5454/ 07771 748 159.

Notes:

Refugee Action is an independent, national charity working to enable refugees to build new lives in the UK. We provide practical advice and assistance for newly arrived asylum seekers and support their settlement through community development work. As one of the country's leading agencies in the field, Refugee Action has 28 years' experience in pioneering innovative work in partnership with refugees and advised more than 40,000 asylum seekers and refugees last year. For more information, visit www.refugee-action.org.uk