Overview

This bill aims to expedite the process of transferring asylum seekers in the UK to the nearest safe country to their country of origin. It mandates the Secretary of State to create regulations enabling these transfers, subject to parliamentary approval.

Description

The Asylum Seekers (Return to Nearest Safe Country) Bill introduces a mechanism to transfer asylum seekers to the nearest safe country as defined by the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants etc.) Act 2004. The Secretary of State is responsible for creating regulations to govern these transfers. These regulations must be approved by either House of Parliament before coming into effect. The bill defines "asylum seeker" as someone whose removal from the UK would violate the 1951 Refugee Convention and its Protocol, and "safe country" as those listed in Schedule 3 of the 2004 Act.

Government Spending

The bill's direct impact on government spending is not explicitly stated. However, it could potentially reduce costs associated with processing and supporting asylum claims in the UK, while potentially incurring costs related to the transfer process itself. The exact financial implications would depend on the number of transfers and the associated administrative and logistical expenses. No figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Asylum Seekers: This bill directly impacts asylum seekers by potentially transferring them to another country before their claim is processed in the UK.
• Governments of "Safe Countries": These countries will experience increased numbers of asylum seekers transferred from the UK, which could strain their resources and asylum systems.
• UK Government Departments: The Home Office and other relevant departments will need to implement and manage the new transfer system.
• NGOs working with asylum seekers: These organizations may experience shifts in their workload and operational priorities based on the implementation of this bill.

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