Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to ensure that LGBT people seeking asylum, who have experienced torture and forms of violence that may be difficult to disclose, have access to legal representatives who are allowed time and capacity to obtain the requisite evidence.

All asylum claimants have the opportunity to be legally represented during their asylum claim, and legal aid funding is provided to those who need it.

In addition, Migrant Help is funded by the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the Home Office to provide independent advice and guidance to assist those considering seeking asylum and those that have claimed asylum to move through and understand the asylum process. Migrant Help also run an asylum helpline and provide advice in a language that the asylum seeker speaks, that is free and accessible to all asylum seekers. This includes support for claimants who are seeking legal advice.

All asylum claims lodged in the UK are carefully considered on their individual merits against a background of relevant case law and up to date country information, which covers country specific issues relating to torture, gender based harm, including female genital mutilation (FGM), sexual exploitation, violence in conflict, domestic violence and those subject to violence relating to LGBT persecution. We ensure that claimants are given every opportunity to disclose information relevant to their claim before a decision is taken, even where that information may be sensitive or difficult to disclose.