§ Lord Faulkner of Worcesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect to announce which company has been chosen to operate the new voucher scheme for asylum seekers. [HL649]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bassam of Brighton)On 7 January, the Home Office awarded a contract for the operation of the new voucher scheme to Sodexho Pass International.
The voucher scheme will form an essential part of the new arrangements for supporting asylum seekers which were included in the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 and will come into operation on 1 April 2000. The provision of vouchers supplemented by a small weekly cash allowance will enable asylum seekers to meet their essential living needs, while reducing the incentive to economic migration inherent in a fully cash based system of support.