Fast-track asylum appeal system plans unveiled

Plans to cut the time it takes to deal with appeals lodged by foreign criminals and asylum seekers fighting to stay in Britain are set to be unveiled.

The current average for an appeal determination is around 36 working days.

But the new proposals will cap the time between an initial decision and conclusion of an appeal to the first-tier tribunal at between 25 and 28 working days.

New safeguards, including a case management review and strengthened powers for judges to decide whether cases can be expedited, would also be introduced if the plans are adopted.

Justice Secretary Liz Truss said: "It is vital that foreign nationals who have no right to remain in the country should be removed as quickly as possible.

"We must ensure that foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers are not exploiting the justice system by attempting to stay in the UK after their claims have been rejected.

"Our proposals are also better for detainees as it will see their detention time cut."

It is estimated the system could speed up around 2,000 cases a year and save the taxpayer around £2.7m.

The plans come after a previous fast-track system was scrapped in 2015 after the Court of Appeal ruled it was unlawful.

An assessment of detained asylum cases between August 2015 and March 2016 found that it took on average more than 65 calendar days from receipt of the appeal to its determination in the first-tier tribunal.

Some detainees were held for more than 100 days while their case was decided.