Overview

This bill ensures unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in the UK receive legal advice promptly and extends the time they have to appeal asylum decisions. It aims to improve the support and protection offered to these vulnerable children.

Description

The bill makes two key changes to existing legislation:

Legal Advice

It mandates the Secretary of State to provide legal advice to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children as soon as a public authority encounters them. This advice must include access to level 3 immigration advisors (registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner, able to advise on asylum claims and represent clients at the First-Tier Immigration Tribunal). The government will cover the associated fees and costs.

Appeal Deadlines

The bill extends the deadline for appealing an asylum decision for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children to 12 months after the decision notice is sent, regardless of their location (inside or outside the UK).

Government Spending

The bill will increase government spending to cover the costs of providing legal advice to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. The exact figure is not specified in the bill itself, but it will depend on the number of children needing legal assistance and the cost of the services provided.

Groups Affected

• Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children: They will benefit from guaranteed legal advice and a longer timeframe to appeal asylum decisions.
• Public authorities (e.g., social services, police): They will have a legal duty to ensure these children receive legal advice.
• Level 3 immigration advisors: They will likely experience increased demand for their services.
• UK Government: Will incur increased costs related to legal advice provision.

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