What is Cooper’s plan to fast-track asylum claims?

As tensions flare up in the UK over migration, with protests taking place in Newcastle, Manchester and north London, the government is pursuing a new plan to reduce the asylum backlog.

- MILLIE COOKE

The home secretary has said she plans to introduce a fast-track scheme to turn around asylum decisions within weeks, via a “major overhaul” of the appeal process.

The plan is part of a wider attempt to crack down on the number of people crossing the Channel, with Ms Cooper announcing a “one-in-one-out” returns deal with France earlier this year. But despite their efforts, last week it was revealed that the number of migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the English Channel topped 25,000 in record time, piling pressure on the government to take further action.

It is hoped that the new plan will make a dent in the backlog and return people to safe countries faster, reducing the number of asylum seekers who are housed in hotels while awaiting the outcome of a claim or appeal. Here, The Independent takes a look at everything we know about the plan so far and how it will work in practice.

How would the fast-track system work?