Tim Finch of the Institute of Public Policy Research asks if it is time for a fundamental rethink of the way we deal with refugees. He investigates the history of asylum as a political issue, the way asylum policy is implemented in the UK today, and discusses various views on how refugees could be handled in the future. Our current system was introduced in the early 2000s in response to public anger over allegations of bogus asylum seekers. Earlier this year responsibility for assessing asylum claims was removed from the UK Border Agency to the Home Office, amidst claims that the system was not fit for purpose. Why does asylum continue to be such a vexed issue?

CONTRIBUTORS

Tua Fesefese, currently seeking asylum in the UK

David Blunkett MP, Home Secretary 2001 - 4

Zrinka Bralo, Executive Director of the Migrant And Refugee Community Forum

Oskar Ekblad, Head of Resettlement at the Swedish Migration Board

Mark Harper, MP for Forest of Dean and Immigration Minister 2012 - 14

Roland Schilling, United Nations High Commission for Refugees Representative to the UK

Rob Whiteman, Director General of the UK Border Agency 2011 - 13

Producer: Luke Mulhall.