§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to make asylum seekers eligible for benefit. [3387]
Mr. BradleyUnder current rules those asylum seekers who make an application for asylum when they first arrive in this country, or who make an application for asylum within three months of the Home Secretary declaring their 95W country subject to upheaval, are already eligible to claim Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (Income Based), Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. Those asylum seekers who make their application after they have arrived in this country, or who are appealing against a negative Home Office decision on their asylum application are not eligible to claim Social Security benefits.
However, we are committed to a wide ranging review of the Social Security system to reduce poverty and social division. We will consider the position of all claimants, including asylum seekers as part of this review.