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Written question asked by Afzal Khan (Labour) on Monday, 20 September 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 22 September 2021. It was answered by David Rutley (Conservative) on Friday, 1 October 2021 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Asylum: Afghanistan

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that people who arrived in the UK under the Afghan (a) Relocation and Assistance Policy and (b) Citizens Resettlement Scheme are not required to meet the habitual residence test.

Answer

All those brought to the UK under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) have the right to work, access to education and healthcare and recourse to public funds including benefit support.

The Department for Work and Pensions has legislated to exempt those arriving in the UK under the ARAP and ACRS from the habitual residence test for income-related benefits, and the past presence test and the habitual residence test for disability and carer benefits.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/1034/made

Further information can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/support-for-those-arriving-from-afghanistan

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
51840
Session
2021-22
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Asylum Afghanistan Habitual residence test
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk