§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on provision of income support and other social security benefits to people granted exceptional leave to remain; and if he has any plans to revise the present arrangements.
§ Miss WiddecombeThere is full entitlement to social security benefits for people who are granted exceptional leave to remain, provided they satisfy the appropriate conditions of entitlement. We have no plans to amend the existing provisions.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will (1) give the reason for not granting the full rate of income support to asylum seekers; and in what ways the financial needs of claimants who are asylum seekers are considered to differ from the financial needs of other claimants;
(2) make a statement on the provision of income support and other social security benefits to asylum seekers; and if. he has any plans to revise the present arrangements.
§ Miss WiddecombeAsylum 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. They can receive social security benefits while their applications for asylum are being processed by the immigration authorities. For them, as for other comparable groups, 90 per cent. of the personal allowance is paid, together with full amounts for children and any appropriate premiums. If refugee status or exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom is granted, personal allowance becomes payable at the full rate. We have no plans to amend the existing provisions.