National Audit Office report on NAM

The report, focusing on the New Asylum Model, says that although new asylum claims are being dealt with much more quickly, a new backlog is building up.

The National Audit Office published a report assessing the management of asylum applications by the UK Border Agency (UKBA).

The report, entitled ‘Management of asylum applications by the UK Border Agency’, focuses on the New Asylum Model and says that although new asylum claims are being dealt with much more quickly, a new backlog is building up.

The number of cases awaiting an initial decision doubled last year from 4,200 in June 2007 to 8,700 last July and continues to grow.

According to the report, a full screening interview is not taking place in a quarter of all cases, with the result that key information is being missed. Some people are being detained pending their removal who should not be and some who according to UKBA policy should be detained are being released.

The report also found that there is no system for identifying decisions to grant asylum that were incorrect, leaving the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal as the only route available to correct decisions.