Once again there appears to be a cross-border clash of cultures on the issue of failed asylum-seekers. The Home Office has launched a new fast-track system for deciding asylum applications and pledged that the backlog of existing cases will be cleared within five years. In Scotland, this involves around 1100 cases covering some 4000 men women and children. The vast majority are in Glasgow. Their children have a Scottish edge to their speech. Many are thriving at school, playing sports and musical instruments, and sitting certificate exams. As the years pass, they have come to regard Scotland as their home and, in return, Scottish communities have taken these people to their hearts. This chimes well with the Scottish Executive's policy of encouraging migrants to settle here and put down roots.
Once again there appears to be a cross-border clash of cultures on the issue of failed asylum-seekers. The Home Office has launched a new fast-track system for deciding asylum applications and pledged that the backlog of existing cases will be cleared within five years.
