§ Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to reduce abuse of social security by people from abroad: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BurtYesterday I laid before Parliament, regulations to prevent certain persons from abroad being able to claim income support under the income support urgent case rules. They will come into force on 2 August. Most persons from abroad are admitted to the country on condition that they do not become a charge on public funds. This means that they should not receive income support. At present a minority of these people abuse the conditions of their leave to remain here which these changes will prevent. I expect to save about £17 million a year in benefit on the 10,000 persons annually who abuse the present system. Asylum seekers are not affected by this change and will continue to receive benefit while their applications for asylum are being processed by the Home Office.
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