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Written question asked by Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 20 November 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 November 2025. It was answered by Alex Norris (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 November 2025 on behalf of the Home Office.

Asylum: Exploitation

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her department's policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, updated on 20 November 2025, what assessment has her department made of the risks to asylum seekers with no state support from exploitation by organised crime.

Answer

Asylum seekers are not eligible for mainstream benefits (such as universal credit) which are available to British citizens and other permanent residents. However, if they would otherwise be destitute, the Home Office currently has a legal duty to offer support, which generally consist of providing accommodation and a cash allowance to cover their essential living needs.

We will be revoking that duty, restoring a discretionary power for the Home Office to offer support, as previously provided under UK law.

We will deny support to those who are able to support themselves, or have deliberately made themselves destitute. We will remove support from those who fail to comply with UK law or conditions of support.

Details of how eligibility considerations will apply will be set out in published guidance in due course.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
93316
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Asylum Organised crime Exploitation
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk