A leading group of MPs have demanded the Government explains its record on protecting asylum seekers and refugees.

In its commentary on the quarterly migration statistics [PDF], the Home Affairs Committee raised a number of concerns including the rising number of adults and children in immigration detention, the sharp rise in the number of Eritrean asylum claims being refused and the increase in the number of so called ‘legacy’ asylum claims.

Refugee Council Head of Advocacy Dr. Lisa Doyle said:

“It’s extremely welcome that MPs are seeking to shine a light on some of the darkest corners of Britain’s asylum system: where people are refused asylum based on dodgy evidence and children are quietly thrown behind bars.

“It’s time the Government began addressing the rot in the system, by finally recognising that protecting vulnerable people is far more important than political and administrative convenience.”

MPs also questioned the country’s readiness to welcome 20,000 resettled Syrian refugees and criticised the Government for failing to provide information about the number of resettled refugees who have arrived in Britain so far.

Refugee Council Head of Advocacy Dr. Lisa Doyle added:

“Of course the UK is able to resettle 4,000 Syrian refugees a year: we resettled that number of Kosovars in just two months during the Balkan conflicts.

“Local authorities, charities like the Refugee Council and communities up and down the country are standing ready to help: what we need now from Government is for it to exercise the political leadership necessary to make things happen.”