An independent report warned today that although the United Kingdom's asylum system had improved slightly it was still not “fit for purpose”.

A review by the Independent Asylum Commission said that the system denies help to some who need it, and is not firm enough in sending home unsuccessful applicants.

The IAC is not an official, Government-appointed body but a commitee of experts, including peers, lawyers, churchmen and other with an interest in asylum, which has collected evidence from hundreds of witnesses over the last year.

The report listed a string of problems in the way that the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) was running the system. These included a culture of routine disbelief among officials who examine claims from migrants seeking sanctuary; playing “cat and mouse” by deliberating arranging removals at a time when it is difficult for failed applicants to contact lawyers or support workers; and ignoring the risk of returning some failed asylum applicants, such as gays and lesbians, to countries such that may not be safe for people of their sexuality.

“The commission has found that the UK asylum system is improved and improving, but is not yet fit for purpose," said the Commission.

“The system still denies sanctuary to some who genuinely need it and ought to be entitled to it, is not firm enough in returning those whose claims are refused, and is marred by inhumanity in its treatment of the vulnerable.”

The report said that too many asylum seekers were being put in detention, a move it described as oppressive and an unnecessary burden on the taxpayer. The detention of children was wholly unjustified, it said.

The report also criticises underhand tricks employed by the immigration service when it had decided on removal.

“There is often inadequate time for a refused asylum seeker to contact their lawyer before being subjected to an enforced return and BIA staff play a cat and mouse game by arranging removals at times when it is difficult for lawyers, social workers or other potential helpers to be contacted”, the report said.

The report added: “The conduct of some enforced returns is tainted with inhumanity and causes unnecessary distress to the individuals and communities concerned.

“The policy of using destitution as a lever to encourage voluntary return of refused asylum seekers risks forcing some extremely vulnerable people - who might have qualified for sanctuary had their cases been well handled - to face persecution in their country of origin.”

It warned that there were some white list countries - states to which the Government judges it is safe to return failed applicants - may not be safe for lesbian and gay asylum seekers.

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