FAILED ASYLUM SEEKERS AND SECTION 9 OF THE ASYLUM AND IMMIGRATION ACT 2004

Early day motion 1620, tabled 9 February 2006 by Diane Abbott (Labour). Signed by 24 members.

That this House notes with considerable concern the findings of leading refugee welfare charities that the threat of economic destitution and removal of the children of failed asylum seekers who refuse to leave the UK, as set out in section 9 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 2004, has driven failed asylum seekers further underground; further notes that out of 116 failed asylum-seeking families targeted in a 12 month pilot scheme only one family has left the country; deplores the fact that 60 families have had all state housing and welfare support withdrawn and 32 families have lost all contact with social services leaving their children acutely vulnerable; believes that section 9 has failed to achieve its intended purpose; and calls on the Government to repeal this ineffective and inhumane section of the Asylum and Immigration Act 2004.

Signatures by party: Labour 13, Liberal Democrat 7, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.