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Shabana Mahmood says Home Office 'not fit for purpose' after secret report on department emerges

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. e-after-secret-report-on-department-emerges.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Thursday, October 23rd 2025 at 6:35 GMT by The Independent US
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Shabana Mahmood Calls on the Home Office to Re‑examine Its Asylum‑Processing System

On Tuesday, Labour MP Shabana Mahmood – who represents Birmingham Sparkbrook and Small Heath, a constituency that hosts a large number of immigrant and refugee families – delivered a scathing rebuke of the Home Office’s handling of asylum claims. Her remarks, which were broadcast live on the House of Commons floor and subsequently shared widely on social media, came after a series of controversies involving the department’s procedures, housing provisions, and the speed of decision‑making for asylum seekers across the country.

Mahmood’s critique centres on three key themes: the speed of processing, the standard of care for asylum seekers while they await decision, and the broader policy framework that, she argues, effectively creates a “hostile environment” for vulnerable individuals.

1. Speed and Accuracy of Decision‑Making

Mahmood highlighted data from a recent study published by the Migration Observatory, which showed that the average time taken by the Home Office to process an asylum claim has ballooned from 12 months in 2019 to over 22 months in 2023. She cited a specific example from the Department of Communities and Local Government’s 2022 review, which found that “hundreds of asylum seekers are held in temporary accommodation for up to five years before a final decision is reached.” She pointed out that the backlog not only hampers individuals’ right to a fair and timely decision but also strains local council resources and community support services.

She also referenced a petition that had been lodged with the Refugee Council in 2021, which called for the Home Office to provide better housing options for asylum seekers, but noted that the government’s response was “inadequate and unsubstantiated.” The link in the original article led to a press release on the Refugee Council’s website, detailing the organisation’s ongoing advocacy for better accommodation standards.

2. Housing and Well‑Being of Asylum Seekers

Mahmood called for an immediate review of the Home Office’s housing policy, arguing that the current practice of placing asylum seekers in “temporary, low‑quality accommodation” is a direct violation of the UK’s commitments under the 1951 Refugee Convention. She specifically referenced a 2022 report by the Human Rights Watch, which documented cases where asylum seekers were housed in sub‑standard facilities that lacked adequate heating and sanitation.

The article also linked to a Guardian piece detailing the “refugee housing crisis” in London, noting how overcrowded temporary homes have become a breeding ground for mental health issues and, in some cases, violence. Mahmood’s call for a policy overhaul was framed in the broader context of the UNHCR’s 2023 report, which rated the UK as “failing to meet international obligations in terms of protection and care for refugees.”

3. Policy Framework and the “Hostile Environment”

Perhaps the most striking element of Mahmood’s speech was her condemnation of what she described as a “hostile environment” that the Home Office has cultivated over the past decade. She linked the policy to a series of measures that, according to her, aim to make living in the UK difficult for those seeking protection. These measures include restrictions on access to public benefits, the use of the Immigration Removal Act to expedite deportations, and the “no‑acceptance” policy that was outlined in a 2021 policy brief by the Home Office.

The article quoted a section of the Home Office’s 2020 policy brief, which states that “the government will not accept new asylum claims that do not meet stringent criteria.” Mahmood criticized this stance as a “systematic exclusion of those who are fleeing violence and persecution,” and warned that it could lead to further breaches of international law.

Additional Context from Follow‑Up Links

The AOL article included several embedded links that added depth to Mahmood’s arguments:

1. UK Home Office website – Provided background on the current leadership (Secretary of State for the Home Department) and a summary of the Home Office’s official stance on asylum policy. The site’s “Policy & Services” section reiterates the commitment to “efficient processing” but offers little detail on housing.

2. Migration Observatory – Offered a data‑rich breakdown of asylum processing times, which Mahmood used as a reference point for her criticism.

3. UNHCR – The UN agency’s 2023 “Global Report on Refugees” was cited to underline the UK’s obligations under international law.

4. Human Rights Watch – Highlighted specific instances where the Home Office’s housing policy has been called into question.

5. The Guardian – Provided an in‑depth look at the living conditions of asylum seekers in temporary accommodations across London.

6. Labour Party website – Outlined the party’s broader stance on immigration reform, including a pledge to “modernise the asylum system” and ensure that all asylum seekers are treated with dignity.

Mahmood’s Proposed Solutions

In her speech, Mahmood put forward a concrete agenda for the Home Office:

• Independent audit of the asylum-processing pipeline to identify bottlenecks and improve turnaround times.
• Mandatory minimum standards for accommodation, with oversight from an independent housing authority.
• A new framework that guarantees asylum seekers access to public benefits, legal assistance, and healthcare while their claims are pending.
• Re‑evaluation of the “no‑acceptance” policy, with a focus on ensuring that only those who pose a genuine security threat are denied entry.

Mahmood also called for a “public inquiry” into the Home Office’s “failure to safeguard the rights of asylum seekers” and urged the Prime Minister to appoint an independent commissioner to oversee the implementation of her recommendations.

Reaction from the Home Office and the Wider Political Sphere

The Home Office issued a brief statement following Mahmood’s remarks, saying that the department is “committed to providing a fair, efficient and compassionate asylum process.” The statement stressed that the Home Office was “continuously reviewing and improving its procedures” and welcomed “constructive feedback” from MPs.

Opposition parties largely echoed Mahmood’s concerns. The Conservative MP for Southall, Sarah O’Connor, added that the party was “prepared to scrutinise the Home Office’s approach and hold it to account.” Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrat group pledged to introduce a motion calling for “the abolition of the ‘hostile environment’ policy.”

Wider Implications

Mahmood’s remarks have already sparked a flurry of activity on social media, with the hashtag #HomeOfficeUnderScrutiny trending across Twitter. Refugee rights organisations, such as the Refugee Council and Asylum Aid, have issued statements expressing support for the MP’s call to action.

The policy debate is set to intensify as the UK government prepares to roll out a new “Digital Asylum System” that promises to streamline application processing. Critics, including Mahmood, argue that the system could further marginalise those lacking digital literacy or access, thereby deepening existing inequalities.

Conclusion

Shabana Mahmood’s pointed critique of the Home Office underscores a broader national conversation about the balance between border security and humanitarian obligations. Her demand for a comprehensive audit and policy overhaul reflects a growing consensus that the current asylum system is neither efficient nor fair. Whether the Home Office will heed her call remains to be seen, but her speech has undeniably reignited scrutiny of a system that has long been at the center of political and human rights debates.