LONDON, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Britain said its target to remove failed asylum seekers who have unfounded claims from Britain has been exceeded.
In a report Tuesday, the Home Office said figures indicated that 2006 asylum applications had hit their lowest levels since 1993, while the number of removals and deportations by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate saw an increase.
"In 2006, a total of 18,235 were removed from the U.K. including dependants, a 16 percent increase on 2005. Since 1997 the removal of principal applicants has risen by 127 percent," the report said.
Meanwhile, asylum figures for 2006 show applications down by 9 percent compared to 2005 when it was 23,520.
In addition, the United Kingdom says performed better than its European partners who saw applications including dependants rise by 14 percent in the same period.
Immigration minister Liam Byrne said the development was an important step on the road to Home Office reform.
"This is a substantial achievement and shows how far we have come since asylum applications were at their peak in 2002," Byrne said.
Lord David Triesman, envoy to the prime minister on returns said a "properly managed migration system brings great benefit to the U.K." However, he added, there was a need to ensure it was not abused.
"This is the result of close co-operation between the Home Office and the FCO on ensuring that immigration offenders are returned to their countries of origin," Triesman said.
