Consultation: Changes to the Asylum Support System

UKBA has issued proposals for changes to asylum support provision which are set out in Part 11 of the Draft Immigration Bill (the Bill) and a consultation paper entitled ‘Reforming Asylum Support: Effective Support for those with Protection Needs (November 09)’. Part 11 of the Bill contains the powers needed to make these changes. This part of the bill also includes powers which seek to reduce the rights of individuals to appeal against a decision made by UKBA about their entitlement to support. UKBA have invited agencies working with asylum seekers to give their views on the proposed changes by the 4th of February 2010.

Policy Changes: Fresh Claims and Section 4 Support

A new system has been introduced by the UK Borders Agency (UKBA) from 13th October for fresh representations. The new system will cause extreme difficulties for many applicants. Some may find it impossible to make fresh representations. This new system has been severely criticised as oppressive and unlawful.

MDC-T: How Sustainable is the Movement?

THE inception of the Government of National Unity (GNU) in February 2009
ushered a new political reality for the mainstream Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC-T). The historical comfort of being an opposition party suddenly
transformed into an expectation of government responsibilities and an
inevitable task of the party’s internal conformance to this new dimension of
political participation.