§ Mr. ForthTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many asylum seekers have been found guilty of benefit fraud in the last three years [65471]
§ Mr. ForthTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the cost of benefit payments to asylum seekers in the last three years. [65466]
§ Angela EagleThe information is 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 1997–98 325 Notes:
1. Information on other non-contributory benefits is not available.
2. Estimated annual expenditure figures are rounded to the nearest five million pounds. Figures may not sum due to rounding.
3. Estimates for February 1997 onwards will include a number of non-asylum seekers who receive Urgent Case Payments for other reasons.
4. 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.
5. 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.
Source:
1. Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiries, 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.