Asylum Seekers (Hansard, 5 March 1996)

§ Mr. Corbyn
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what modifications have been made to his Department's computers to accommodate bringing the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1996, into effect; and what other costs have been incurred in respect of their implementation. [19112]

§ Mr. Roger Evans
The introduction of this legislation has not required modification to any of the Benefits Agency's computer systems.
164W
Details of other costs involved are set out in the table:

Information on additional costs arising from the introduction of the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1996 for 1995–96

Benefit Staffing cost¹£ Non-staffing cost² £

Disability Living Allowance/Attendance Allowance 316,662 619,300

Disability Working Allowance none none

Family Credit 71,721 689,459

Income Support none none

Invalid Care Allowance 11,417 36,500

Severe Disablement Allowance 77,516 62,109

Total 477,316 1,407,368

¹ Reflects the additional administration costs arising from the introduction of this legislation.

² Reflects the costs arising from the development and delivery of training to operational staff; the redesign and printing of revised claim forms; the development and distribution of revised procedural guidance.

§ Mr. Corbyn
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applicants have been refused benefit under the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1996 because(a) their cases have been determined since 5 February and (b) they did not claim asylum at the port; and how many of these cases involve children. [19116]

§ Mr. Evans
The information requested is not available.

§ Mr. Corbyn
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidelines he has issued to local authorities in respect of the implementation of the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1996 with particular reference to children. [19117]

§ Mr. Evans
The Social Security (Persons From Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1996 came into force on 5 February 1996. Guidance to accompany the amending regulations was issued by this Department to all local authorities in January 1996, in advance of the implementation date. The guidance does not specifically refer to children as the new arrangements do not affect social service departments' responsibilities under the Children Act 1989.

Information on additional costs arising from the introduction of the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1996 for 1995–96
Benefit	Staffing cost¹£	Non-staffing cost² £
Disability Living Allowance/Attendance Allowance	316,662	619,300
Disability Working Allowance	none	none
Family Credit	71,721	689,459
Income Support	none	none
Invalid Care Allowance	11,417	36,500
Severe Disablement Allowance	77,516	62,109
Total	477,316	1,407,368
¹ Reflects the additional administration costs arising from the introduction of this legislation.
² Reflects the costs arising from the development and delivery of training to operational staff; the redesign and printing of revised claim forms; the development and distribution of revised procedural guidance.