§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people who would have been entitled to benefits before the introduction of the Social Security (Persons From Abroad) Regulations 1996 on 5 February have sought asylum since that date. [33833]
§ Mr. Roger EvansA total of 7,281 people claimed asylum in-country between February 1 and June 30, the latest date for which figures are available.
Prior to the introduction of the regulations, asylum seekers in this category would have been eligible for income support housing benefit and council tax benefit, subject to the normal qualifying conditions.