§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much was spent on assisting asylum seekers(a) directly and (b) indirectly by local authorities in (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99 and (d) 1999 to date. [117859]
§ Ms Beverley Hughes[holding answer 6 April 2000]: Information concerning local authority direct or indirect expenditure on asylum seekers is not centrally available. Relevant grants paid to local authorities in England by the Department of Health and the Home Office are in the table:
Central Government Asylum Seekers Special Grants to English Local Authorities £ million 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 Adults/Families Grant(DH)1 9.8 68.0 169.9 27.2 Asylum Seekers Support Grant (HO) — — — 3303.9 Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children's (UASC) Grant (DH) 3.0 1.6 20.2 52.2 1 These grants became the responsibility of the Home Office in 1999–2000. 2 Payments in respect of audited accounts for 1998–99. 3 This includes £82 million which has not yet been paid authorities. Note:
1998–99 and 1999–2000 subject to audit reconciliation.