WIREDGOV

Publication of fifteenth report by the Independent Monitor for Entry Clearance refusals without the right of appeal

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE News Release issued by The Government News Network on 22 November 2007

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office today published the fifteenth report by the Independent Monitor for Entry Clearance refusals without the right of appeal.

Commenting on her report, Mrs Linda Costelloe Baker said,

"UKVisas is rapidly, and successfully, changing the way applications are handled and determined with the introduction of biometric data, risk assessments and commercial partnerships."

The report covers refusals issued during the six month period between 1 October 2006 and 31 March 2007 and is the third report by Mrs Costelloe Baker, who took up the appointment as Independent Monitor on 26 April 2006. Copies of the report have been placed in the libraries in both the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Written Ministerial Statements were made by the Foreign Secretary and Lord Malloch-Brown on 22 November 2007.

Notes for Editors

1. Linda Costelloe Baker succeeded Fiona Lindlsey on 26 April 2006. From 1993 - 2006 Mrs Costelloe Baker held a series of public appointments in Scotland, most recently as the Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman.

2. Under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 amended by paragraph 27 of schedule 7 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, Mrs Costelloe Baker monitors visa refusals made by UK Entry Clearance Officers (ECOs) in cases where there is a limited right of appeal to check that decisions are consistent and fair. This report is based on a detailed review of 713 refusals during the period October 2006 to March 2007 drawn from all Entry Clearance issuing posts world-wide. The Independent Monitor for Entry Clearance is required to submit her findings to the Foreign Secretary in the form of a report. The Independent Monitor is not an alternative to the appeal system; nor is it a procedure for applicants or sponsors to have decisions reviewed in individual cases. The Independent Monitor does not have powers to overturn decisions.

3. Mrs Linda Costelloe Baker makes two Reports a year. Her next report will cover the period April to September 2007, and will be published next year.

4. Copies of the fifteenth report can be obtained from the UKvisas website http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk, where UKvisas responses to the recommendations made in the Report can also be found.

Press Office, Downing Street (West), London SW1A 2AL