Labour has said the party wants to fast track asylum claims made by people from countries designated as being safe—such as Albania—to clear the backlogs.
Speaking to broadcasters on Friday, shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said a fast track system is recommended by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and would speed up deportation and “make sure the asylum system is about helping people who have fled persecution and conflict.”
Cooper cited the Home Office’s analysis that said of the more than 7,000 Albanians who applied for asylum after sneaking into the UK on small boats in the year ending September, less than one percent have received an initial decision. She also cited the reduction in the overall number of decisions taken by the Home Office, accusing the Conservative government of not having “a grip” on the problem….