Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Monday, 29 June 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 July 2009. It was answered by Phil Woolas (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 July 2009 on behalf of the Home Office.

Asylum

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which benefits in (a) cash and (b) kind his Department provides for asylum seekers awaiting a decision on their case who are (i) single, (ii) accompanied by their spouse or partner, (iii) have a partner and one child, (iv) have a partner and two children and (v) have a partner and three children.

Answer: Under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 asylum seekers and their dependants are not permitted to access the mainstream system of welfare benefits.Asylum seekers and their dependants who need support to avoid destitution are given it by the UK Border Agency from the time they arrive in the UK until their claim is fully determined. Support takes the form of subsistence, accommodation or both.Accommodation is fully furnished and includes all utilities and council tax payment. It is provided through a series of target contracts which the UK Border Agency has entered into with both public and private sector accommodation providers.From 6 July 2009, levels of subsistence support will be per week £35.13 for a single asylum seeker aged 18 to 24 or £42.16 for a single asylum seeker aged over 25; £69.57 for an asylum seeker accompanied by a spouse or partner; £120.38 for an asylum seeker with a partner and one child under 16; £171.19 for an asylum seeker with a partner and two children under 16; £222.00 for an asylum seeker with a partner and three children under 16From 5 October 2009, all new single applicants without children will receive £35.13 a week regardless of age.The regulations updating asylum support rates were laid before Parliament on 11 June 2009.

Secondary information