In recent years, the Home Office has taken some effective steps. It has limited the numbers applying to come to the UK and allowed more needy cases to be assessed faster. However, the decision in October last year that thousands of failed asylum seekers could only progress their appeals by travelling in person to Liverpool is at best clumsy and at worst deeply cynical.

It has placed large numbers of vulnerable people in danger of homelessness. Former cabinet minister Clare Short is right when she labels the move ‘disgraceful’.

The government is placing an even greater strain on refugee and homelessness organisations which are already stretched to breaking point due to the recession.

The High Court will shortly decide whether to sanction a judicial review into the policy. Since the government clearly cannot be shamed into action, the review must be granted.

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