HL Deb 07 November 1995 vol 566 c202WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they propose to deny welfare benefits, (a) to asylum seekers appealing against initial decisions, and (b) to those whose asylum applications were made "in country" and not at the port of entry.

Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish

Under the proposals announcement by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State on 12 October, people who apply for asylum on arrival in the UK will be able to claim Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit until the point where they receive an initial negative decision on their asylum claim.

Those who claim asylum whilst already in the UK will not be eligible for benefits, unless they are nationals of a country which is recognised by the Home Secretary as having undergone a significant upheaval since their arrival in this country. Asylum seekers covered by this exception will be able to claim benefits on the same basis as those who apply on entry.

In no case will benefits be paid during the asylum appeals process.

Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider their proposals for reducing benefits payable to asylum seekers will lead to homelessness, destitution and inability to study and to prepare for life in Britain.

Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish

People who come to this country as visitors or students do so on the understanding that they will be self-supporting. Lodging a claim for asylum should not automatically relieve them of this responsibility.

Those who claim asylum on arrival in the UK, or whose country is recognised as having undergone a significant upheaval, will retain entitlement to Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit until a negative decision is reached on their asylum application. Those who are found by the Home Office Secretary not to be refugees should not expect to receive the continuing support of the taxpayer.