Politics · United Kingdom · 2 days ago
Home Office memo flags online sick notes used to delay asylum interviews
The Home Office says it has seen similar medical notes in multiple asylum claim files.
A Home Office source told the Daily Mail that some applicants use online sick notes to postpone interviews about their asylum claims.
The source said an interview can be delayed for several months, giving applicants more time before they are questioned.
The claims involve people seeking asylum in the UK, including some whose work visas are due to expire.
The memo tells staff handling claims to report such notes.
The Home Office did not say how many interviews had been postponed after sick notes were submitted.
It is not suggested that the website named in the story knowingly supplied notes for this purpose.
The Daily Mail reports that some asylum seekers are using online sick notes to postpone Home Office interviews.
An internal Home Office memo says staff have found the same type of GP sick notes in different asylum files and tells them to report such notes.
The report says notes from Home2Lab cost £44 and can be issued without a GP appointment.
A Home Office source said delayed interviews can give claimants more time to prepare their claims and continue working.
The report says the Home Office declined to provide figures on interviews postponed after sick notes were submitted.
- Who
- Some asylum seekers are alleged to be using online sick notes to delay interviews.
- What
- They allegedly submit sick notes to postpone Home Office asylum interviews.
- When
- Not stated.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- The report says delays can give claimants more time to prepare their claims and continue working.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Price
- £44 for a sick note from Home2Lab
- Website
- Home2Lab
- Alleged delay
- Up to six months
- Memo finding
- Same type of GP sick notes appeared in different files
- Home Office figures
- Declined to provide the number of interviews postponed after sick notes were submitted
What people are saying
We have noticed the same type of GP "sick notes" being added to different files.
The interview won't be rescheduled for several months, so they have more time to work on their story or develop evidence.
By postponing their asylum interviews, 'they can continue working'
Sources
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