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Asylum minister to meet McConnell Minister confirms asylum reform
(1 day later)
UK Immigration Minister Liam Byrne is due in Scotland for talks with the first minister on asylum issues. Two new specialist asylum teams are to be set up in Scotland to deal with cases north of the border, Immigration Minister Liam Byrne has said.
Jack McConnell is expected to raise concerns about the use of so-called dawn raids to forceably remove failed asylum seekers from Scotland. His announcement came ahead of talks in Scotland with the first minister.
It is thought the Home Office is preparing to let officials in Scotland decide how to handle future cases. Jack McConnell was expected to raise concerns about the use of so-called dawn raids - the majority of which have happened in the west of Scotland.
However, critics have said that will make little difference unless the rules themselves are changed. Mr Byrne said the new system should reduce the need for the enforced removal of failed asylum seekers.
Mr Byrne indicated the possible reform during a meeting with Scottish Labour MPs. However, critics have said the reform will make little difference unless the rules themselves are changed.
Ian Davidson MP, who attended the meeting, told BBC Scotland that the change aimed to speed up the asylum process. A protest calling for an end to dawn raids has been held at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh and outside the city chambers in Glasgow to coincide with Mr Byrne's visit.
The meeting followed rising opposition to dawn raids and a series of protests over the removal of failed asylum seekers in Glasgow. Building relationships
However, campaigners have said the proposals do not go far enough as the decision-making process would not be altered. Speaking on BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland, Mr Byrne said the key behind the reforms was to make decision-making more rapid.
"Faster decisions are fairer decisions," he said.
"Nobody wants the asylum system to be a soft touch.
"We have to remember that 70% of asylum claims are found to be unfounded and so often decisions do need to be enforced."
However, Mr Byrne said one official would be responsible for taking each case forward and that would make enforced removal less likely.
"You've got a case owner that's able to build up a relationship with the individual and the family," he said.
Changing the system so that applications made in Scotland are decided on by officials here is to be welcomed as it implicitly recognises that the current system is failing Patrick Harvie MSPScottish Greens
Mr Byrne said Scotland had "blazed a trail" on the issue and had prompted a UK-wide review of the deportation of families.
The Immigration and Nationality Directorate said the Home Office has been supporting 1,500 families in Scotland, two thirds of whom have seen their applications fail.
In September, a scheme was set up for 40 families to self check and leave voluntarily.
However, out of the 140 individuals involved, only one turned up.
Over the next two weeks every failed asylum seeker family in Glasgow would be offered a £3,000 support package, she said.
If that support is turned down, enforced removal would be considered.
'Refusing refuge'
Campaigners have said the proposals do not go far enough as the decision-making process would not be altered.
Robina Qureshi, director of Positive Action in Housing, said: "Until the system is based on fairness rather than on refusing asylum to as many as possible regardless of circumstances, asylum seekers will continue to face injustice in their claim for refuge in the UK."
The Scottish Green Party welcomed the move but called for an end to dawn raids.
Patrick Harvie MSP said: "Changing the system so that applications made in Scotland are decided on by officials here is to be welcomed as it implicitly recognises that the current system is failing some of the most vulnerable people in Scotland.
"However, until the system is based on fairness rather than on refusing refuge to as many as possible regardless of circumstances, injustice will continue to be inflicted on those who come here in search of refuge."
'A sham'
Kenny MacAskill, the SNP's justice spokesman, said: "Simply establishing a branch office will be a sham unless it is met with devolved powers and implemented in accordance with Scottish values.
"Our economic needs and social wants are different and distinct to the rest of the UK."
However, Conservative justice spokeswoman Margaret Mitchell MSP, said that laws covering asylum should be enforced in the same way throughout the UK.
She welcomed "any measure which would speed up the decision-making process".
She added: "Crucially however, there should be no difference between how asylum seekers are dealt with in Scotland as opposed to the rest of the UK."