Recently in asylum Category

 by Allan Norman

Somebody Else's Problem, according to Douglas Adams, can easily be run off a single torch battery for over a hundred years. Hardly surprising, if the judgement of the House of Lords in M, R (On The Application of) v Slough Borough Council [2008] UKHL 52 (30 July 2008) is anything to go by. The Problem itself generates its own friction, heat and dissipated energy.

This is the judgement I said was on the way. It's not the judgement I predicted, or hoped for.

Some will know this tube station lies on the Northern Line between Euston and Camden Town, but only if playing by the 'Charing Cross Branch' Rules. More of you will have heard of the Radio 4 panel show game, played by other rules. The game is one of great skill and strategy, but the rules are, let's face it, obscure.

by Allan Norman

"Is there any point to which you would wish to draw my attention?"
"To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time."
"The dog did nothing in the night-time."
"That was the curious incident."
(Sherlock Holmes in ‘Silver Blaze’, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The Independent Asylum Commission has punched above its weight. Asked to address it, I tried to find out more about what it was. It was plainly not a statutory enquiry. Nor was it an initiative of a national charity. It appears that it originated in relatively obscure local citizens groups, ironically likely to be less known to the public than the commission they created – more power to their elbow!

by Lisa Nandy, policy adviser, The Children's Society

There are huge changes planned for the 7,000 unaccompanied asylum seeking children and young people in the UK. But are they better for children?

Last year the Government consulted on plans to change the way these children are supported, and published their proposals, “Better Outcomes: The Way Forward” in January 2008.