Asylum policy ignores child welfare

And yet the Home Office, without any consultation, has just sneaked through changes to how asylum claims are processed that fly in the face of child welfare. Failed asylum seekers who initially made their claim before March 2007 have to attend a "further submissions unit" in Liverpool after making an appointment in advance, whereas before they could do so by post.

Their travel costs will not be met, for families there is no consideration about disruption to a child's education and there is no guarantee they will not subsequently be placed in a detention centre. It is therefore hard to avoid coming to the conclusion that this is designed to prevent people trying to re-apply for asylum. While the government insists claims made in person minimise fraud, it is in fact likely to force more families underground, bringing up children in unsafe conditions.