Asylum hotel protests latest: Government vows to fast-track deportations after new wave of anti-migrant demos

There are about 51,000 asylum appeals waiting to be heard, taking on average more than a year to reach a decision.

As measures have been put in place to speed up initial decisions, court delays over appeals are now thought to be the biggest cause of pressure in the asylum accommodation system.

The Government plans to set up a new independent panel focused on asylum appeals to help reduce the backlog.

The new independent body will use professionally-trained adjudicators, rather than relying on judges.

Ministers are introducing a new 24-week deadline for the first-tier tribunal to determine asylum appeals by those receiving accommodation support and appeals by foreign offenders.

But they believe the current tribunal system, which covers a wide range of different cases, is still failing to ensure failed asylum seekers can be returned as swiftly as possible, nor can it accommodate a fast-track system for safe countries.

The Government will set out further details of plans for asylum system reforms in the autumn, drawing on lessons from other European countries which have faster appeals systems – including some which run independent appeals bodies similar to the one being proposed.

A new fast-track asylum appeals process will be introduced to speed up the process of removing people with no right to be in the UK, Yvette Cooper has promised, amid protests about the use of hotel accommodation for migrants.

There are about 51,000 asylum appeals waiting to be heard, taking on average more than a year to reach a decision.

The Home Secretary said the overhaul would result in a system which is “swift, fair and independent, with high standards in place”.

She said: “We inherited an asylum system in complete chaos with a soaring backlog of asylum cases and a broken appeals system with thousands of people in the system for years on end.

“That is why we are taking practical steps to fix the foundations and restore control and order to the system.

“We are determined to substantially reduce the number of people in the asylum system as part of our plan to end asylum hotels.

“Already since the election we have reduced the backlog of people waiting for initial decisions by 24 per cent and increased failed asylum returns by 30 per cent.

“But we cannot carry on with these completely unacceptable delays in appeals as a result of the system we have inherited which mean that failed asylum seekers stay in the system for years on end at huge cost to the taxpayer.”

Emma Taylor-Beale, who is protesting for Stand Up to Racism in Horley said: “I’ve got a heart for anyone who’s got a need and our migrant community deserve protection, they deserve dignity, they’ve been through enough.”

She said she was not surprised at the number of anti-immigration protesters that had turned out to the demonstration, given what she had seen on social media.

Ms Taylor-Beale said: “This time last year when we had the riots in the summer, all of us showing support were the massive majority in Brighton and in Crawley, and the far-right were there, but they weren’t like the members of the public.

“This isn’t just the far-right, you can’t label everyone on that side who’s come out as far-right, I think people are buying into lies, they’re angry, they’re hurt and people have got a reason to be angry right now.”

She argued that economic inequality and the housing crisis was at the root of the divide.

Both anti-immigration and counter-protesters gathered in front of a Hampton Hotel in a suburban area, on the edge of Aberdeen.

With about 70 protesters on each side separated by fencing, counter protesters’ chants of “send them home” are met with jeers and claps from the pro-asylum protesters.

The Times reported one man was draped in a Saltire flag and shouted “we’re not racist: you’re f***ing deluded”, while his opposition wave homemade signs that said “blame millionaires nae refugees” and “warfare is NOT family entertainment”.

About 300 people protested a possible plan to provide accommodation for asylum seekers in Mold, North Wales today.

Demonstrators stood outside the Poundland shop unhappy about rumours that some flats in the town could be used to house asylum seekers, the BBC reported.

Meanwhile about 40 people took part in a counter protest nearby with banners which read “no to racism” and “asylum seekers welcome”.

One of the organisers Netty Lloyd, 49, told the BBC: “I’ve lived in Mold for 49 years. We need our community to stay together, look after each other, and support our own first.”

While one of the counter-protesters, Benjamin Lawrence Jones, said he wanted to come and show his support for “people from different backgrounds”.