§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many refugees have been allocated to the North East Region by the Refugee Arrivals Project; where they have settled; and what is the unit cost per week in each location. [76127]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe Refugee Arrivals Project provides an advice service to asylum seekers arriving at Gatwick or Heathrow who declare their application for asylum at their port of entry. Such asylum seekers may be entitled to income support and housing benefit. Because of current difficulties experienced by single asylum seekers in obtaining suitable accommodation in the London area, the Refugee Arrivals Project has advised some to seek support in other parts of the country. At present, about 350 asylum seekers have gone to the North East Region while their asylum claim is being considered.