§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy that local authorities should from 1 April, take over financial responsibility for asylum seekers disposed to their areas before that date; and if he will make a statement. [108042]
§ Mrs. RocheAsylum seekers who claim asylum and support after 1 April will make their claim for support from the National Asylum Support Service in the Home Office. It will be the responsibility of the National Asylum Support Service to determine eligibility for support and to identify a suitable support package. Where local authorities provide accommodation and support for these asylum seekers, it will be under contract to the National Asylum Support Service.
Asylum seekers who claimed asylum and support prior to 1 April will continue to be supported under the existing arrangements.
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§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the number of places which will be needed to accommodate asylum seekers under the new arrangements, due to come into force on 1 April; and what progress he has made towards achieving that target. [108043]
§ Mrs. RocheIn the financial year 2000–01, we are planning on the basis that 35,000 will require full accommodation support. The remainder will either seek support to meet their essential living needs only or will not seek support.
We issued an invitation to tender to a number of accommodation providers. Negotiations are still proceeding. Contracts are expected to be awarded towards the end of February. In parallel, we are in discussion with local government with a view to them providing a substantial amount of the accommodation requirements.