Asylum Claims: Religious Conversion

Lord Roberts of Llandudno Excerpts

Monday 13th October 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

The noble Lord is absolutely right: it is integral to the success of the immigration and asylum system that those who have no right to remain in the United Kingdom are removed speedily. Since July 2024, this Government have improved the performance on those removals. We need to engage with our partner nations to ensure that countries are willing to receive individuals, but the basic principle of the asylum system is that we are open to meeting our international obligations. If someone seeks asylum and it is approved, they will be accepted. If it is not approved, they have no right to live in the United Kingdom and that speedy removal should take place, as the noble Lord said.

[Lord Roberts of Llandudno (LD)]

How many appeals have overturned the original decision? How many claims that were originally denied have been reversed on appeal?

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

I hope the noble Lord will forgive me, but I do not have the figures directly in front of me and I would not wish to give him a spurious figure. I will reflect on his question and give him an answer within short order by that old-fashioned method of pen, or email.