A substantial number of women asylum seekers and refugees have little confidence in the asylum system. Gender-sensitive policies are not always implemented on the ground, undermining the safeguards that should be in place to ensure fair treatment of women seeking asylum. And, inappropriate questioning continues at UKBA interviews and asylum appeal hearings.

Dubbed as disgraceful, the ‘gentlemen’s agreement,’ whereby asylum-seeking children, including victims of trafficking, have been routinely sent back to France within 24 hours, contrary to the requirement to safeguard their welfare, has now been put to an end.

The development is significant as it had long put the wellbeing and safety of children at risk of harm and exploitation, revealed as The Children’s Commissioner for England published a report, ‘Landing in Dover’.

When an asylum seeker comes to the end of the asylum process having been refused asylum and exhausted all appeal rights, accommodation comes to an end. This can leave asylum seekers destitute without accommodation or financial support.

Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, allows for the provision of support to former asylum seekers. This support consists of accommodation and vouchers only with no cash support.

"No amount of compensation from the Home Office can repair the traumatising and long-lasting effects detention have on children."

A family of four Kurdish asylum seekers, deported after spending 13 months in detention in Scotland, have won a six-figure Home Office compensation payout.