#home-office-policy

#home-office-policy

Safe Passage International, a charity working with unaccompanied children and refugees, has been granted permission to launch a judicial review of the decision to halt refugee family reunion after it claimed the suspension was unlawful. Mr Justice Fordham accepted that the suspension should be open to a legal challenge after the court heard that the decision breaches the Home Office's duty to have regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

The board employs more than 50 social workers to conduct the assessments, but some children have said they are out to get them. The report finds that in some cases the process has led to children's deteriorating mental health, including self-harm and suicidal ideation, and that going through a Home Office age assessment is far more severe and traumatic than a comparable experience with a local authority social worker.

Two of our clients, BSC and JS ... have now been appointed as Lead Claimants in the policy challenge which continues,

Lawyers for the local district council had sought a permanent injunction against the current use of the Bell hotel in Epping, arguing at the high court that it was a feeding ground for unrest and protest. The application was opposed by the property's owner, Somani Hotels, while the Home Office also intervened in the case, arguing that the closure of asylum hotels must be structured and gradual.

Godwin said she does "not anticipate" that she will fund asylum seekers' travel out of her budget. But she added Home Office-issued tickets would offer "a cheaper and greener way for people to attend essential appointments." Asylum seekers living in hotels are given 9.95 per week. Those living in Bristol have to travel to Patchway for mandatory meetings with the Home Office. A single bus ticket costs 2.50, or 6.50 for a daily pass.