§ 2.56 p.m.
§ Earl Russell asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ Whether they will state the reasons for their decision (HL Deb., 14th November 1990, col. WA11) not to allow refugees income support at 100 per cent. support levels.
§ Lord HenleyMy Lords, asylum seekers are among the groups of people who are not entitled to income support under the normal rules but whose circumstances make it appropriate for them to receive some benefit. For them, as for other comparable groups, 90 per cent. of the personal allowance is paid, together with the full amounts for children and any appropriate premiums.
§ Earl RussellMy Lords, I am grateful to my noble kinsman for that reply. But, with respect, why is that the case? Why is it not the full rate? Perhaps he could enlighten me.
§ Lord HenleyMy Lords, the Government have to make judgments about where to direct extra resources that become available for social security. We concluded that asylum seekers were not a priority group for further assistance. Perhaps it may help the noble Lord if I tell him that my right honourable friend the Home Secretary has concluded that in view of the rising number of asylum seekers—and the noble Earl knows very well that numbers are rising—there should be a review of all arrangements relating to asylum seekers. All relevant matters will be considered.
§ Lord CarterMy Lords, can the Minister tell the House what out of a total departmental budget of £60 billion is the saving to public funds resulting from the denial of full income support for refugees?
§ Lord HenleyMy Lords, we are not talking about refugees but asylum seekers. Once refugees have been granted asylum they will be entitled to the full amount in income support. The figure that the noble Lord requests, based on the current estimate that about half the estimated 25,000 asylum seekers seek income support, is £1.7 million.
§ Baroness Ewart-BiggsMy Lords, will the noble Lord say a little more about the review he mentioned? Will it encompass the problem that asylum seekers find in obtaining housing?
§ Lord HenleyMy Lords, as I said, in view of the rising numbers of such people my right honourable friend the Home Secretary asked that all these matters should be reviewed. That review will have a broad base. We are examining the United Kingdom's international obligations, actions overseas and arrangements for receiving asylum seekers in this country. That would cover the noble Baroness's point. The review will also cover the processes of deciding their claims.