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Immigration

Answer

Where a person makes a claim for asylum, regardless of the grounds on which that claim is made, and including asylum claims made on the basis of violence, that person will be supported by the UK Border Agency until that claim is determined, and will have no other recourse to public funds. If a person is subsequently granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the United Kingdom they are granted leave that enables them to access public funds.Additionally, the immigration rules enable an applicant who has limited leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom as the spouse, unmarried partner, registered civil partner or same sex partner of a British citizen or person present and settled in this country and whose marriage or relationship breaks down during the probationary period as a result of domestic violence to be granted indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom at which point they are not prohibited from accessing public funds.In March we announced a new scheme where victims of domestic violence who have no recourse to public funds may be eligible to receive support for their housing and living costs. Under the new scheme victims of domestic violence whose applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain are successful may qualify for a contribution towards these costs. Further details on this programme of work are still being worked up and will be available later this spring. The proposals under the new scheme will strengthen the way in which domestic violence cases are considered enabling those victims who are vulnerable to access immediate support.We have worked with the third sector and other partners to provide victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation with comprehensive support since 2003. In 2007 the UK became a signatory to the Council of Europe Convention against Trafficking in Human Beings which we are committed to ratifying by the end of 2008. This will enhance existing measures and will provide all identified victims of trafficking with minimum levels of support during a 'reflection period' and access to temporary residence permits in certain circumstances.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

479 c959-60W;479 c957-8W; 198371

Session

2007-08

Subjects

Asylum

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk