Thank you for contacting me about support for asylum seekers.
I recognise that this is a very important issue; the UK has a proud tradition of providing a place of safety for refugees. Each claim for asylum is carefully considered and where it is found that individuals are in need of protection, asylum is given, with the ultimate aim of helping them to return home if it is safe to do so.
Asylum seekers are allowed to work in jobs on the Shortage Occupation List if their claim has not been decided after 12 months through no fault of their own. The current policy aims to strike a balance between being equitable towards asylum seekers, while considering the rights and needs of our society as a whole.
I understand that the Government is considering recent calls to change the current policy and is reviewing the evidence available. I am aware that in June 2020 the High Court granted permission for a judicial review of the current policy.
Any asylum seeker who would otherwise be destitute is provided with free accommodation, utility bills and council tax paid, as well as a weekly cash allowance, with extra money available for mothers and young children. The cash allowance has been raised from £37.75 to £39.63, representing a rise of 5 per cent from June. This is significantly higher than general inflation, which data showed was 0.8 per cent in the 12 months to April 2020. Indeed, food inflation over the same period was 1.4 per cent.
I know you have concerns over this allowance figure, but the methodology used for the cash allowance has been recognised by the Courts as rational and lawful. You may be interested in reading about how this works here - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/report-on-review-of-cash-allowance-paid-to-asylum-seekers. It is also important to factor in that NHS healthcare and education for children is provided free of charge.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
