HC Deb 29 July 1997 vol 299 cc242-4W
Ms Abbott

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people who are the subject of sponsorship undertakings have had(a) income support, (b) housing benefit and (c) council tax benefit (i) refused and (ii) curtailed under the rules brought in by SI 1996 No. 30 Social Security (Persons From Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1996. [7172]

Mr. Keith Bradley

We are committed to a wide-ranging review of the major components of the social security system: our aim is to reduce poverty and welfare dependency and to promote work incentives.

The information requested is not available as data held on sponsored immigrants' benefits do not specify the reason for the refusal of benefit.

Ms Abbott

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people subject to sponsorship undertakings have been awarded(a) income support, as an urgent case, (b) housing benefit and (c) council tax benefit, due to the death of their sponsor. [7180]

Mr. Bradley

We are committed to a wide ranging review of the major component of the social security system: our aim is to reduce poverty and welfare dependency and to promote work incentives.

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows:

Between May 1996 and April 1997, one person was awarded income support due to the death of their sponsor.

Information on the number of people awarded housing benefit and council tax benefit is not available.

Ms Abbott

To ask the Secretary for Social Security how many asylum seekers have had child benefit (i) refused and (ii) curtailed under the rules brought in by SI 1996 Nos. 2327 and 2530 on child benefit since 7 October 1996. [7173]

Mr. Keith Bradley

We are committed to a wide-ranging review of social security. With the Home Office, the Department of Health and other Departments, we shall consider all arrangements for asylum seekers to ensure they are dealt with fairly and promptly.

Restrictions, to all persons subject to immigration control and not just to asylum seekers, are applied under section 146A of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992. The statutory instruments referred to provide exemption from the general restriction for certain categories.

Information on the number of asylum seekers whose child benefit claims have been disallowed since 7 October 1996 is not available.

Ms Abbott

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many asylum seekers have had(a) income support, (b) housing benefit, (c) council tax benefit, (d) disability living allowance, (e) attendance allowance, (f) family credit, (g) severe disablement allowance, (h) invalid care allowance and (i) disability working allowance 1. refused and 2. curtailed under the provisions of SI 1996 No. 30 Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations. [7174]

Mr. Bradley

We are committed to a wide-ranging review of social security. With the Home Office, the Department of Health and other Departments, we will consider all arrangements for asylum seekers to ensure they are dealt with fairly and promptly.

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available on asylum seekers is in the table.

Income support claims from asylum seekers: May 1996 to April 1997
Income support Numbers
In-country asylum claimants refused income support1 1,309
Income support claims from asylum applicants curtailed2 936
Notes:
1 Figures are for those claimants refused income support past the introduction of the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Regulations 1996.
2 Figures are for those applicants whose income support claims are curtailed as a result of a negative decision by the Home Office on their asylum application post the introduction of the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Regulations 1996.

Source:

Clerical management statistics (not validated).

Mr. Gibb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the costs to the Benefits Agency resulting from the repeal of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996. [7558]

Mr. Bradley

We are committed to a wide- ranging review of the major components of the social security system. Our aim is to reduce poverty and welfare dependency and to promote work incentives.

We have made clear that we are committed to a wide-ranging review of social security. With the Home Office, the Department of Health and other Departments, we will consider all arrangements for asylum seekers to ensure they are dealt with fairly and promptly.