Morning, Friday, 22nd November 2024
Online
This conference will examine next steps for UK asylum system policy, with a focus on practical considerations for the implementation of proposed reforms to the asylum system and enhancing border security.
It will be a timely opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to assess measures expected in the Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill. Following the Home Secretary’s announcement of increased immigration enforcement over the next six months and the recent appointment of Martin Hewitt to lead the UK's new Border Security Command, we expect discussion on planned measures around detention capacity, specialist recruitment, enforcement and returns, targeting illegal employment, and international collaboration.
Delegates will assess progress and potential impact of the commitment to increase return flights for those who have had their asylum applications rejected and the reopening of immigration removal centres, as well as potential alternatives to the use of detention programmes. The planned increase in powers for law enforcement officers to investigate organised immigration crime will also be considered, including implications for law enforcement agencies and their partners.
Further discussion will focus on enhancing multi-agency and cross-sector collaboration, including new approaches and frameworks for the care of asylum seekers, alongside how collaboration can best be incentivised, supported and managed going forward to improve system effectiveness. Best practice in effective coordination between legal advice providers, local authorities, education providers and the voluntary sector will also be discussed, looking at addressing housing challenges and supporting young refugees, as well as priorities for security and enforcement cooperation with the EU, and options for establishing safer routes into the UK.
The agenda looks at implementation priorities for the Border Security Command and new approaches to collaborative frameworks within the UK, with the EU and more widely internationally. It will be a timely opportunity to discuss priorities for international collaboration following the Prime Minister’s trip to Rome to learn from the Italian Government’s approach to dealing with irregular migration. Delegates will also consider strategies for the UK’s devolved nations amid reports that Scotland plans to reintroduce free bus travel for asylum seekers and a recent think tank report on enhancing legal services for migrants in Wales.
Amidst continuing concerns surrounding backlogs in the processing of asylum applications, delegates will consider priorities for developing efficiency in case management, training, and what is needed to ensure that the system has capacity to clear backlogs.
We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with: Daniel Hobbs, Director General, Migration and Borders, Home Office; Vicky Tennant, Representative to the United Kingdom, UNHCR; Jon Featonby, Chief Policy Analyst, Refugee Council; Dr Annette Idler, Associate Professor, Global Security, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford; and Susan Fratzke, Senior Policy Analyst, International Programme, Migration Policy Institute.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those due to attend include parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Lords and officials from ICIBI; Home Office; MOJ; FCDO; MHCLG; DHSC; HMRC; LAA; DfC, NI; CQC; DWP; DfE; Defra; DSIT; NAO; ONS; Ofcom; Department for the Economy, NI; DCEDIY, ROI; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.
