THE number of asylum seekers in Manchester has fallen for the
third year running. There are 1,590 in the city according to the
latest government figures.
In the first quarter of 2004 there were 1,810 asylum-seekers
receiving government help and in the first quarter of 2003 there
were 2,225 asylum-seekers.
For the 2005 Manchester figures, there are 1,200 supported in
special accommodation and 390 others getting cash help from the
state.
The pattern continues in Stockport, where the number of
asylum-seekers in special accommodation was 225 for the first
quarter of 2005, compared with 255 in the first quarter of 2004.
The number getting cash aid in Stockport was "negligable", the Home
Office said.
In Trafford, there has been no change in either the number of
asylum-seekers living in special accommodation or those receiving
benefits. The figures stay as they were in the first quarter of
2004 - 100 and 25 respectively.
The general downward trend coincides with a national drop in asylum
applications. In the first quarter of 2005, the number of
applications was 17 per cent lower than the previous quarter.
Immigration minister Tony McNulty said: "Asylum applications are
continuing to fall significantly, and at a faster rate than other
European countries, as a result of government action in recent
years.
"But we also know there's more to do to tighten the system and
increase the number of failed asylum-seekers we remove.
"This is essential if people are to have confidence that the system
is both robust and fair. Removals remain 73 per cent higher than in
1997, but we are determined to increase this, so that by the end of
the year we should be removing more failed asylum seekers per month
than there are unfounded claims.
"Over the coming months we will be implementing our five year
strategy for asylum and immigration to deliver strict controls that
work in the interests of Britain."
According to the statistics, there are fewer asylum seekers in
Manchester than there are in Birmingham, Leeds and Newcastle Upon
Tyne. But the city has a larger asylum population than Bradford,
Cardiff, Liverpool and Nottingham.
Commenting on the Home Office figures Julia Ravenscroft, a
Manchester-based spokesman for charity Refugee Action, said:
"Asylum applications have dropped dramatically. It's exacerbated by
measures brought in by the government to stop people getting here
in the first place.
"The majority of asylum seekers are still being refused at the
first hurdle. We want to see the government improving the
decision-making process as some applications are rejected and then
status is granted.
"We want to see the asylum system applauded, not for turning people
away but for helping people in genuine need. We don't want an
immigration police.
"Asylum seekers often have skills which would benefit the community
but the stigma is still there."
Support for chef's appeal bid
AFGHAN chef Ahmad Hussaini faces deportation after his asylum
claim was rejected and his appeals to stay have been refused.
Ahmad, who is 32 and lives in Levenshulme, fled his homeland in
July 2001 after receiving death threats.
He has a copy of a newspaper article, published last April in
Afghanistan, which claims he is being persecuted by local
commanders who have condemned him to death. But the Home Office did
not consider the newspaper article as evidence because it was not
part of his initial asylum application.
Since arriving in the country four years ago Ahmad has become
fluent in English, is studying business and English at MANCAT and
he has a trained as a chef.
A temporary visa allows him to work at Manchester's Simple in the
City restaurant, where he is paid £6 an hour.
His boss, Vikki Harris, said: "Out of all the people I've ever
employed he's the hardest working and the most dedicated. He came
here not speaking a word of English and has achieved so much in
four years.
"I've never been into human rights or rights for asylum seekers but
I'm very annoyed about what's happening to Ahmad. There's not much
anyone can do."
Ahmad's future in Afghanistan looks bleak. His family has escaped
to a refugee camp in Iran and local warlords have imprisoned his
father and one of his brothers.
Hannah leads church call for more tolerance
NEGATIVE stereotypes about asylum seekers and refugees have been
challenged by a new report written by a Sale vicar's
daughter.
Hannah Skinner's report - A Place of Refuge - makes the case for
asylum policies to be based on solidarity and compassion.
Hannah, a former pupil of Sale Grammar School and Manchester
University and daughter of Rev Graeme Skinner of St Mary's in Sale,
works for the Church of England's Mission and Public Affairs
Council.
Her 72-page report, published to coincide with Refugee Week - which
actually runs from June 10 to June 26 - has been welcomed by the
United Nations High Commission for Refugees.
Hannah, 23, who lives in Burnage, said: "The General Synod of the
Church of England wanted an examination of a more positive approach
to asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. It starts by looking at
the theological basis for asylum and outlines a Christian
perspective before going on to challenge some of the claims made by
sections of the media, particularly refugees' economic contribution
to the UK."
Hannah, an adviser at faith-based Manchester think-tank the William
Temple Foundation, spent four months writing the report.