§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
What arrangements they have in place to review regularly, with local authorities and the charities involved, the working of the cash, voucher and other support systems for asylum seekers. [HL1358]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonWe intend that reviews of the sort referred to will be made on an on-going basis by the National Asylum Support Service, as part of the service's normal operational work. We have already established excellent lines of communication with both 183WA local authorities and voluntary sector groups, which will enable us to consult them as part of the review process.
§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will put in place arrangements to review, at least every six months, the adequacy of cash and voucher support for asylum seekers; and [HL1359]
Whether they will put in place arrangements to review, at least every six months the working of the voucher scheme for asylum seekers, with particular reference to (a) the cost of administering the scheme; (b) its effectiveness in meeting the needs of asylum seekers; and (c) the social experience of those compelled to use vouchers; and [HL1360]
Whether they will review the voucher system for asylum seekers to ensure that the vouchers can be used where it is most economic to shop and that change in cash will be available when purchases are made. [HL1361]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonThe entire asylum support scheme, including the voucher system, will be kept under constant review within the National Asylum Support Service, as part of the service's normal operational work. Where this review process discloses any need for amendments in the way the scheme is operated, we shall take the necessary steps to make these.
§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
What arrangements they have in place to ensure that all dispersed asylum seekers (a) are only sent to destinations where their religious, dietary and cultural needs can be met; (b) are provided with the funds for travel to places where specialist legal advice is available; and (c) are, together with other immigrants in a similar position, financially enabled to travel to Croydon to pursue work permits when the issue of these is delayed. [HL1387]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonArrangements are being set into place at the present time, both within the new National Asylum Support Scheme, and by liaison with the voluntary sector, to ensure that asylum seekers are dispersed to areas where their needs can be met. Where an asylum seeker has a specific need he or she will be able to state this when seeking support and this will be taken into account when the question of dispersed destination is under consideration.
With regard to specialist legal advice, we are satisfied that, as dispersal occurs, so legal practitioners in the dispersed areas will respond to the changed needs for specialist advice, drawing knowledge from the centre as is presently done in other fields of law.
Unless a decision on his/her asylum application has not been reached within six months, an asylum seeker 184WA is not allowed to work and, therefore, the question of obtaining a work permit does not arise. Currently, asylum seekers may obtain work if their application has not been decided within six months. This concession does not involve the issue of work permits, which are the responsibility of the Department for Education and Employment.