Surely if an applicant fails, then there is suitable grounds for a safe return to the country of origin.

To allow failed asylum seekers the same rights as citizens is a recipe for disaster. Anyone could apply, fail, and enjoy the benefits of working in the UK for at least a short period of time.

I'm not going to pretend the system has its flaws, and there are certain cases (such as the filipino widower who was sent home in the news recently) that highlight wrong decisions, but thats why an appeals process exists.

education and healthcare are two of the central institutions that citizens pay tax towards, and pay tax for most of their lives. Can you imagine the backlash from angry taxpayers at more people exploiting their contributions even though their application had failed?

No party will ever support this proposal. It'd be political suicide.