Asylum seekers: Home Office changes direction on consultation

The proposals, launched by the Home Office in March, aim to reform the asylum process for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children aged 18 and under (YPN, 7-13 March, p4). They were criticised by children and young people's charities for plans to use bone and teeth X-rays to determine a young person's age, and to make young asylum seekers destitute at the age of 18 to encourage returns.

Initially, the Home Office said it had no plans to actively consult young people, although it said there was nothing to stop them commenting. But the department has decided to discuss the matter at a stakeholder group later this month. A spokeswoman said: "We intend to discuss whether we should engage with a group of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children towards the end of the consultation period or use a focus group."