§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 14 November,Official Report, column 329, for what reasons the temporary nature of asylum seekers' immigration status is relevant to the rate of income support payable to them; and what would be the cost of making them entitled to the full rate of income support. [5264]
§ Mr. Roger EvansAsylum seekers are not entitled to income support under the normal rules, but those who claim asylum when they first arrive in the United Kingdom may claim income support under the urgent cases rules. Payments under these rules continue until the Home Office decide on the asylum application. If the asylum seeker is successful and granted refugee status benefit can be paid at the same rate as is paid to United Kingdom nationals. The Government believe that it is right to make a distinction between those whose status is settled and whose right to stay in the United Kingdom is established and those where it is not yet clear that the asylum claim is well founded. Only 4 per cent. of asylum applications are successful.
The cost of making asylum seekers entitled to the full rate of income support and jobseeker's allowance would be approximately £10 million a year.