Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has plans to ensure that (a) people seeking asylum are able to access legal advice prior to their screening interviews and (b) screening interviews for asylum are not used during credibility assessments.

All asylum claimants have the opportunity to be legally represented during the consideration of their asylum claim; the Legal Aid Agency ensures that legal aid funding is provided to those who need it. Free independent guidance is available to claimants provided by Migrant Help, including on finding legal representation. The straightforward nature of the screening interview means that claimants do not, in general, need to have legal advice prior to that interview.

The process of making an asylum decision is underpinned by an overall assessment of credibility where decision-makers must carefully consider all available evidence, including responses and statements provided during the completion of the screening questionnaire. Where a claimant makes a statement at asylum screening which is inconsistent with a statement provided later, they will be provided an opportunity to explain the discrepancy during their substantive interview.