The FCDO provides funding to the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Administration to help support the good governance of the Territory. This funding includes all costs associated with temporarily supporting the migrants on BIOT and supporting their departure from the territory. The information requested on the breakdown of spending can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

As an uninhabited territory, the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) does not have an asylum system as the 1951 Refugee Convention has not been extended to the territory. Where migrants have claimed that they are unable to return safely to their country of origin, their cases are considered by the Commissioner for BIOT in line with BIOT law and international legal obligations. We do not comment publicly on individual claims for protection.

As an uninhabited territory, the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) does not have an asylum system as the 1951 Refugee Convention has not been extended to the territory. Where migrants have claimed that they are unable to return safely to their country of origin, their cases are considered by the Commissioner for BIOT in line with BIOT law and international legal obligations. We do not comment publicly on individual claims for protection.

The FCDO provides funding to the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Administration to help support the good governance of the Territory. This funding includes all costs associated with temporarily supporting the migrants on BIOT and supporting their departure from the territory. The information requested on the breakdown of spending can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

The welfare and safety of migrants on British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) is paramount. They receive dedicated 24-hour-a day medical care from a medical team formed of doctors, paramedics, registered nurses and mental health practitioners. The BIOT Administration introduced a robust multi-layered and multi-agency safeguarding policy in July 2023, which codified and clarified safeguarding arrangements that had developed over time since the camp was first set up.

All allegations of mistreatment or criminality are taken seriously and fully investigated. Criminal charges have been brought against certain individuals, including charges of sexual assault, and are being taken forward in line with BIOT law.

The UK has not funded any such feasibility studies.

Responsibility for migration and Asylum claims in the British Overseas Territories lies with the elected Overseas Territories governments. The Territories face varying levels of Asylum claims and the UK Government is providing support where needed. The FCDO, in partnership with the Home Office, will continue to work with the Territories on asylum procedures.

The Secretary of State speaks to his US counterpart regularly on the many shared interests between the UK and the USA. There have been no recent discussions with his US counterpart on the recent press speculation surrounding offshoring of people seeking asylum to Ascension Island.

As an uninhabited territory, the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) does not have an asylum system. Where migrants have claimed that they are unable to return safely to their country of origin, their claims are considered in accordance with BIOT law and international obligations. We do not comment publicly on individual claims for protection.

No foreign nationals are detained on BIOT. Around 130 individuals have so far voluntarily returned to their home country on six separate flights chartered by the BIOT Administration. The FCDO provides funding to the BIOT Administration to help support the good governance of the Territory. This funding includes all costs associated with temporarily supporting the migrants on BIOT and supporting their departure from the territory.

The Administration of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) provides accommodation, food, communications and dedicated 24/7 medical support, as well as educational and welfare facilities to the migrants in Diego Garcia. The facilities and support offered to the migrants are continuously reviewed and enhanced as required. BIOT does not have an asylum system. Migrants' claims for protection are considered in line with BIOT law and international legal obligations.

As an uninhabited territory, the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) does not have an asylum system. Where migrants have claimed that they are unable to return safely to their country of origin, their cases have been considered by the Commissioner for BIOT in line with BIOT law and international legal obligations. We do not comment publicly on individual claims for protection.

As an uninhabited territory, the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) does not have an asylum system. Where migrants have claimed that they are unable to return safely to their country of origin, their cases have been considered by the Commissioner for BIOT in line with BIOT law and international legal obligations. We do not comment publicly on individual claims for protection.

Immigration is devolved to the inhabited British Overseas Territories. As such, any information on the numbers of applications received from foreign nationals for asylum will be held by Overseas Territory Governments. The UK Government is providing support to build local capacity in the Overseas Territories which are receiving claims for asylum, notably the Cayman Islands.

Our world-leading Migration and Economic Development Partnership with Rwanda will help break the business model of criminal people smuggling gangs and save lives. We are committed to working with a range of international partners to tackle the global migration crisis, and are always in talks with a range of partners about how we can work together. The UK continues to work closely with Paraguay on a range of issues which matter to us both.

Most asylum seekers in the UK do not currently have the right to work and are therefore not eligible to access DWP employment services.

Employment support is however available to refugees and those entering the UK as part of a resettlement scheme which is delivered by the Home Office. Local Jobcentre Managers have considerable flexibility and expertise to provide tailored support to meet individual needs as required.

Those seeking asylum in the UK are not entitled to Universal Credit. However, Asylum Support is available to newly recognised refugees through the Home Office whilst their status is under consideration. This support continues for 28 days after refugee status is granted. A claim to Universal Credit can then be made immediately once refugee status is granted and Asylum Support is not deducted from their Universal Credit award during the 28 days run on period.

Work coaches receive training to help them build supportive relationships with claimants, including refugees, encouraging them to openly discuss any barriers, concerns or problems as they emerge. Provided the eligibility criteria for Universal Credit are met, we will offer an advance payment to a refugee when making a new claim, and staff have access to information on a range of services and support available in their local area for vulnerable claimants, including refugees. We also have access to a range of translation services to assist, should a claimant need support to overcome any language barriers.

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

No assessment has been made.

Policy on broadband is a matter for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport. A range of broadband social tariff packages are available in the market to support those on low incomes or who receive specific benefits. BT, for example, recently announced a Home Essentials package which will provide fibre and voice services to households in receipt of Universal Credit and certain other benefits for £15 per month. Virgin, Hyperoptic and other providers are offering similar packages to assist households on low incomes. Between them, these products are available to 99% of households across the country. The Government continues to encourage all fixed-line providers to introduce a social tariff offer so as to ensure those on low incomes have affordable access to services and information.

With respect to rates of income-related benefits, these are not made up of separate amounts for specific items such as broadband. Rather, they are intended to cover outgoings across households with a wide variety of characteristics and expenditure patterns.

Allowances for asylum seekers are a matter for the Home Office. Asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute are provided with accommodation and other support to cover their essential needs, usually in the form of a weekly cash allowance. The level of the allowance is reviewed annually and takes into account communication needs, including the cost of buying and maintaining a mobile phone with internet access.