§ Margaret MoranTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what plans he has to amend regulations to provide benefits to survivors of domestic violence subject to the one year immigration rule; [58595]
(2) what plans he has to amend regulations to exempt survivors of domestic violence subject to the one year rule on immigration from the non-recourse to public funds rule. [58597]
§ Malcolm WicksProvisions already exist to allow victims of domestic violence to claim social security benefits. Provided that the Home Office is satisfied that a874W marriage has broken down due to domestic violence, it can apply a concession to the one year immigration rule, giving the victim indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom, and therefore access to the benefits system.
We have no plans to introduce regulations to give people who are subject to the one year immigration rule access to benefits before the Home Office has considered the particular circumstances of a case and has proof of domestic violence. To do so would undermine the general principle that those who are subject to immigration control have no access to the benefits system.