No clear foundation for accepting Albanian asylum claims, cross-party MPs say
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lbanian migrants to the UK are unlikely to be in danger in their very own nation or require asylum, a cross-party group of MPs has discovered.
However, extra must be executed to help the Albanian victims of individuals smuggling, particularly ladies, the Home Affairs Select Committee stated.
In a report printed on Monday specializing in Albania, the committee stated there was no clear foundation for the UK to simply accept hundreds of asylum purposes from Albanian residents.
It comes after migration information revealed greater than 1 / 4 of the 45,755 individuals who crossed the English Channel in small boats in 2022 had been Albanian, most of whom made an asylum declare.
The variety of Albanians making the channel crossing in small boats rose from 800 in 2021 to 12,301 final yr.
The UK ought to take a look at how entry to work visa schemes may be improved to fill our abilities or staffing gaps whereas providing Albanian nationals a path to increased revenue, benefiting each nations
Labour chair of the committee Dame Diana Johnson MP stated: “Such a substantial sudden increase in asylum claims from a seemingly peaceful country understandably raised concerns.
“While it is important that questions are asked and lessons are learnt, it is clear that the immigration picture is not static and will continue to evolve.
“New challenges are likely to continue to emerge and it is important that the UK improves its overall approach to asylum, rather than focus on one country.”
The committee stated the principle driver of migration from Albania was financial and advisable the Government promote seasonal work visas in agriculture and development to present extra Albanians the chance to return to the UK with out making unauthorised channel crossings.
The committee additionally stated that whereas claims for political asylum “should not normally be entertained”, there are “unquestionably cases of Albanian citizens being trafficked to the UK”.
It stated acceptable safeguards should be in place earlier than any victims of trafficking are returned to Albania and likewise advisable the UK preserve robust hyperlinks with the nation’s authorities.
Dame Diana added: “Changes in migration will inevitably place strain on any system, but the Government must do much more to ensure it can better handle these stresses.
“Most importantly, it must improve the speed of decision-making and clear the backlog as we set out in our Channel crossings report in 2022. We expect the Home Office to set out how it plans to achieve this.
“People will continue to be attracted to the UK from Albania while it continues to offer job opportunities and higher wages.
“The UK should look at how access to work visa schemes can be improved to fill our skills or staffing gaps while offering Albanian nationals a route to higher income, benefiting both nations.”
A Home Office spokeswoman stated: “This Government’s priority is stopping the boats.
“Last year, 28% of those who arrived by small boat to the UK were from Albania — a safe European country and Nato ally — placing further strain on our asylum system.
“We’ve worked closely with the Albanian government to disrupt criminal gangs and deter illegal migration.
“In the five months to the end of May, Albanian small boat arrivals are down 90% on last year and we have returned 1,800 illegal migrants and foreign criminals back to Albania.
“Thanks to changes to our asylum system, we have gone from accepting one in five Albanian asylum claims to just one in 50, in line with other European countries.
“We will carefully consider the report and respond in due course.”