We write to express serious concerns approximately the government’s proposals to significantly increase immigration and asylum tribunal fees. This increase,of up to 500%, will assign justice beyond the reach of some of the most vulnerable. The House of Commons justice committee has expressed “considerable concern” approximately these plans and questioned the evidence upon which the government is basing its fees reforms. We urge the government to examine the findings of the committee properly and rethink its proposals, or which will harm vulnerable people,including families and children.
The government must also seriously consider the responses it has received to its recent consultation. The increase in fees would disproportionately affect people from ethnic minorities and prevent those most in need from accessing justice. The quality of Home Office immigration decision-making remains poor in many cases, and this increase would prevent even those who do own a right of appeal from exercising that right. It would cost £4000 for a family of five to appeal, and clearly preventing the huge majority of immigrants from challenging illegal decisions. The proposals exempt those in receipt of legal aid from paying; however,most immigration cases are out of scope for legal aid, therefore only a small minority will benefit from this. Related: Police log fivefold rise in race-hate complaints since Brexit result Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com