The British government announced on Tuesday (September 12) that the officials will use X-rays and MRI scans to determine the age of asylum seekers who are apparently falsely claiming to be unaccompanied children.&nbsp;

The move will facilitate the government's plans to restrict what it calls "illegal" migration to the UK, which has emerged as a highly contentious political issue.&nbsp;

The interior ministry said that the legislation unveiled this week by the justice ministry will "authorise the use of X-rays in scientific age assessments". It still needs parliament's approval.&nbsp;

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The interior ministry will introduce further laws specifying that X-rays of teeth and bones of the hands and wrists as well as MRIs of knees and collar bones "can be used as part of the age assessment process".&nbsp;

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick wants to introduce scientific tests to determine the age of those arriving in the nation.&nbsp;

Many European countries have been using such tests, but some campaigners and medical professionals have questioned their reliability.&nbsp;

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The interior ministry said: "Age assessment is an important process to help prevent asylum-seeking adults posing as children as a way of accessing support they are not entitled to, and allow genuine children to access age-appropriate services."&nbsp;

It noted that between 2016 and June 2023, there were over 11,275 asylum cases where age was disputed and almost half of the individuals (5,551) were found to be adults.&nbsp;

The official figures state that more than 23,000 migrants have now crossed the English Channel in small boats so far this year.&nbsp;

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The British government announced on Tuesday (September 12) that the officials will use X-rays and MRI scans to determine the age of asylum seekers who are apparently falsely claiming to be unaccompanied children.

The British government announced on Tuesday (September 12) that the officials will use X-rays and MRI scans to determine the age of asylum seekers who are apparently falsely claiming to be unaccompanied children. The move will facilitate the government's plans to restrict what it calls "illegal" migration to the UK, which has emerged as a highly contentious political issue. The interior ministry said that the legislation unveiled this week by the justice ministry will "authorise the use of X-rays in scientific age assessments". It still needs parliament's approval. Also read: 'Gender apartheid'? Iran proposes harsher punishment, up to 10 years in prison, for violating Hijab laws The interior ministry will introduce further laws specifying that X-rays of teeth and bones of the hands and wrists as well as MRIs of knees and collar bones "can be used as part of the age assessment process". Immigration minister Robert Jenrick wants to introduce scientific tests to determine the age of those arriving in the nation. Many European countries have been using such tests, but some campaigners and medical professionals have questioned their reliability. Also read: Ukraine claims Russia launches 'massive' attack on ports of Danube region The interior ministry said: "Age assessment is an important process to help prevent asylum-seeking adults posing as children as a way of accessing support they are not entitled to, and allow genuine children to access age-appropriate services." It noted that between 2016 and June 2023, there were over 11,275 asylum cases where age was disputed and almost half of the individuals (5,551) were found to be adults. The official figures state that more than 23,000 migrants have now crossed the English Channel in small boats so far this year. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UK to introduce X-ray age checks for asylum seekers to gauge their ‘real’ age

The United Kingdom's (UK) backlog of asylum applications awaiting a decision has hit a record high in the year to June, the news agency Reuters reported on Thursday (August 24) citing official figures.

The United Kingdom's (UK) backlog of asylum applications awaiting a decision has hit a record high in the year to June, the news agency Reuters reported on Thursday (August 24) citing official figures. The interior ministry said that 78,768 applications were made by people who arrived in the country illegally in the 12 months to June, up 19% than the previous year. The backlog of asylums was just over 134,000, or 175,457 once dependents are included. This adds more pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who in December last year pledged to clear the initial backlog of cases by the end of this year. Around 80% of those have been waiting for more than six months. Earlier, the government had said that in the year to June, there were 23,702 initial decisions made on asylum applications, up 61 per cent on the previous year. Of those, 71 per cent were grants of refugee status, humanitarian protection, or alternative forms of leave. Committed to reducing levels of immigration: Govt Prime Minister Sunak made cracking down on illegal migration a priority before the national election which is expected next year, pitching his Conservative party leaders as being tougher on the issue than the opposition. Reuters reported that seeking to deter people from arriving in the UK, the government is moving migrants onto disused military sites and barges and intends to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. Speaking to BBC, an interior ministry spokesperson said the ministry remained committed to reducing levels of immigration, adding that the system was working to encourage the "best and the brightest" to come to the country. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UK asylum applications' backlog rises to record high, reveal official figures

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UK to introduce X-ray age checks for asylum seekers to gauge their ‘real’ age

UK asylum applications' backlog rises to record high, reveal official figures