HC Deb 15 March 1999 vol 327 c494W
31. Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost of current provision of benefits in kind to asylum seekers. [74607]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

The cost of the current provision of benefits in kind to asylum seekers will not be known until after the current financial year. However, we believe that the unit costs which have been set for 1998–99, whilst challenging, are realistic. The unit costs are:

  • £165 per week for single adults;
  • £230 per week for families (or £240 per week for families already resident within Inner London);
  • £400 for unaccompanied children aged 15 and under: and
  • £200 for unaccompanied 16 and 17 year olds.

37. Mr. Randall

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people claimed asylum in the United Kingdom during 1998. [74613]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

Forty six thousand and fifteen claimed asylum in 1998.