Lawyers want court ruling on section 4 support fast-tracked

Applications for judicial reviews were made to the High Court after the government changed the rules for people wanting to add new information to their asylum applications.

Since October last year, failed asylum seekers who want to submit fresh evidence to a claim made before 5 March 2007 must travel to Liverpool in person. They were previously able to provide their evidence by post.

The High Court has decided to look at whether the procedure is legal before a carrying out a judicial review of whether destitute people who want to make fresh claims should be given section 4 support, which gives failed asylum seekers accommodation and a small amount of financial help. The judicial review on whether the system is legal is now listed for October.

Asylum seekers affected by the change are often homeless and struggle to make an appointment in Liverpool. They have to deal with a busy telephone helpline and afterwards travel to the city for their interview.

Under the new rules, failed asylum seekers will not receive housing and financial support until they get to Liverpool and their application is approved.

Colin McCloskey, a solicitor with Asylum Support Appeals Project, which defends the legal rights of asylum seekers, said: ‘We are worried that the judicial review about asylum support has been postponed to allow for another judicial review hearing to take place.

‘We are trying to get enough evidence to persuade the High Court to bring the asylum support case into court much more quickly.

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