The government says that it wants to stop illegal immigration and encourage asylum seekers (Report, 7 March). I believe this to be deceitful, and I speak from personal experience. With the exception of the successful Homes for Ukraine scheme, it is virtually impossible to claim asylum through official channels. I have a good friend who is Afghan and who was blinded by the Taliban while working for the British forces. Because of his association with the British, his family are in hiding. We have been applying for 18 months for them to be relocated to this country under the Afghanistan scheme.
In contrast, we have had a Ukrainian woman living with us for the last six months. It took a mere 12 hours for her visa to be granted. That is great, of course, but what about all the other poor souls? I have absolutely no faith in the UK’s asylum system. When Rishi Sunak says that we have a “proud history” of welcoming those most in need, that is no longer true.
David Huggon
Wivenhoe, Essex
