HL Deb 04 November 2003 vol 654 cc101-2WA
Baroness Park of Monmouth

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there are any categories of asylum seekers other than Zimbabwe citizens from whom the National Asylum Support Services has been instructed, once their asylum application has failed, to withdraw accommodation, support and the right to work. [HL4852]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

Section 94(3) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 requires that, with the exception of families including children under the age of 18, support must be terminated to all asylum seekers regardless of nationality who have received a final decision on their claim.

The employment concession for asylum seekers was abolished on 23 July 2002. Generally speaking, asylum seekers are no longer able to work while their applications are under consideration although we retain a discretion to grant permission to work in wholly exceptional or compassionate circumstances. Asylum seekers who had been given permission to work prior to abolition of the concession can continue to work until a final decision is made on their claim. Failed asylum seekers are also not entitled to work.