§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total cost to the Social Security budget of claims by asylum seekers in the years(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98. [53585]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 30 July 1998]: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.
Asylum seekers—estimated income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit annual expenditure £ million Year Total estimated annual expenditure 1995–96 300 1996–97 310 1997–98 340 Notes:
1. Estimated annual expenditure figures are rounded to the nearest five million pounds
2. Estimates for February 1997 onwards will include a number of non-asylum seekers which receive Urgent Case Payments for other reasons
3. Annual expenditure figures for Income Support have been based on an average of four quarters for the relevant financial year, using number of cases and average weekly amounts. Income Support figures are not available for the years 1997–98, data are therefore provided for May 1997 for the year 1997–98
4. Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit estimates have been calculated using the Housing Benefit Management 1 per cent. sample and Departmental Reports, and exclude asylum seekers receiving Housing Benefit who are not receiving Income Support
5. Information on the other non-contributory benefits is not available
Source:
1. Income Support Statistics Quarterly Inquiries, May 1995 to May 1997
2. Housing Benefit Management Information System, annual 1 per cent. sample of claimants in receipt of Income Support, at the end of May in each year given
3. Departmental Report