§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what provision his Department has made for the payment of social security benefits to asylum seekers during the financial year 2000–01; [96943]
(2) how much was paid in social security benefits to asylum seekers in each financial year since 31 March 1992; [96941]
(3) what is his estimate of the amount paid in social security benefits to asylum seekers so far during 1999–2000 and his estimate of the likely total of such expenditure for the entire financial year 1999–2000. [96942]
§ Mr. BayleyThe full details of the transitional arrangements for those asylum seekers who are receiving Social Security benefits when the new support arrangements are introduced in April 2000 have yet to be finalised. However, an asylum seeker receiving benefit will continue to receive benefit until a relevant change of circumstances, such as a negative decision on their asylum application. If an asylum seeker is refused either asylum or exceptional leave prior to April 2000 he will be able to apply to a Local Authority for support under the interim arrangements provided for in the Bill. An asylum seeker refused asylum or exceptional leave after 1 April 2000 will be able to apply for support to the Home Office's Asylum Support Directorate.
We will bring forward our detailed proposals for the transitional arrangements shortly.
155WEstimates for 1992–93 expenditure are not available. Such information as is available is in the table.
Asylum seekers—estimated annual expenditure, Great Britain £ million Year Total estimated annual expenditure Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (IB) Housing Benefit Council Tax Benefit 1993–94 340 160 175 5 1994–95 360 180 175 5 1995–96 420 205 205 10 1996–97 400 195 195 10 1997–98 305 150 145 10 1998–99 285 150 125 10 Notes:
1. Estimated annual expenditure figures are rounded to the nearest five million pounds. Figures may not sum due to rounding.
2. Estimates for Income Support 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.
4. Expenditure figures for Housing Benefit are estimates and have been calculated using the Housing Benefit Management Information System 1 per cent. sample and Departmental Reports. Estimates are based only on cases recorded on the Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry as being asylum seekers. They therefore exclude other claimants in receipt of Urgent Case Payments who may in fact be asylum seekers, but are not identified as such and they exclude any asylum seekers in receipt of Housing Benefit who are not in receipt of Income Support, although the number of these cases is thought to be very small.
5. Figures for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit 1993–94 to 1997–98 are actual out-turns and 1998–99 figures are estimated out-turns.
Source:
1. Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiries, May 1993 to February 1999.
2. Jobseeker's Allowance Statistics Quarterly Enquiries, May 1997 to February 1999.
3. 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.
4. Departmental Report.
The amount paid in Social Security benefits to asylum seekers is dependent on various factors including asylum applications intake, asylum decisions, and the size of the asylum backlog of outstanding cases. It is estimated that the cost of benefits for asylum seekers between April 1999 and September 1999 inclusive is in the range of £120 million to £150 million.
We estimate that the total cost of benefits for asylum seekers in 1999–2000 will be in the range of £215-£295 million.