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100072

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Finance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to abolish the Azure payment card and amend legislation to enable the provision of cash support for all refused asylum seekers until they are either given status in the United Kingdom or return to their country of origin.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL2278
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>The Azure card is issued to destitute failed asylum seekers accommodated under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 because they are temporarily unable to leave the United Kingdom. The card can be used at most of the main supermarket chains to purchase food and other essential items. The performance of the card is kept under regular review but the Government is satisfied that it is an effective way of ensuring that recipients are able to meet their essential living needs and are not left destitute.</p><p> </p><p>The Government therefore has no plans to abolish the card or change legislation to allow people supported under section 4 to receive cash instead.</p><p> </p><p>The total administrative costs of the card scheme since it was introduced in 2009 are approximately £1,515,000. Estimated administrative costs for the current financial year are £200,000.</p><p> </p><p>The Government published its response to the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee report about asylum procedures in December 2013 (cm 8769). A response to the Committee’s views on section 4 support was set out on page 18-19.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates grouped question UIN HL2277 HL2279 HL2280 HL2281 question first answered 28/10/2014 15:17:55 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

100071

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Finance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have assessed the effectiveness of the combination of the Azure payment card and support under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 in enabling refused asylum seekers to meet their basic needs.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL2277
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>The Azure card is issued to destitute failed asylum seekers accommodated under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 because they are temporarily unable to leave the United Kingdom. The card can be used at most of the main supermarket chains to purchase food and other essential items. The performance of the card is kept under regular review but the Government is satisfied that it is an effective way of ensuring that recipients are able to meet their essential living needs and are not left destitute.</p><p> </p><p>The Government therefore has no plans to abolish the card or change legislation to allow people supported under section 4 to receive cash instead.</p><p> </p><p>The total administrative costs of the card scheme since it was introduced in 2009 are approximately £1,515,000. Estimated administrative costs for the current financial year are £200,000.</p><p> </p><p>The Government published its response to the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee report about asylum procedures in December 2013 (cm 8769). A response to the Committee’s views on section 4 support was set out on page 18-19.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates grouped question UIN HL2278 HL2279 HL2280 HL2281 question first answered 28/10/2014 15:17:54 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

93411

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Finance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the current rate of support provided to asylum seekers; and how many of those who receive such support they estimate to live below the poverty line.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL2077
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>The Government ensures that asylum seekers are not left destitute by providing accommodation and a cash allowance to cover their essential living needs.</p><p>The table below sets out the current weekly allowances provided to asylum seekers and various categories of dependants that may also be supported.</p><table><tbody><tr><td> </td><td><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><p><strong>LEVELS OF CASH SUPPORT FROM 18 APRIL 2011</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>£</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td>SINGLE PERSON</td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Aged 18 or over (excluding lone parent)</p></td><td><p>36.62</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Aged 25 years or over (excluding lone parent), where the decision to provide cash support was made before 5 October 2009 and the person reached age 25 prior to that date.</p></td><td><p>42.62</p></td></tr><tr><td>QUALIFYING COUPLES</td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Both 18 years or over</p></td><td><p>72.52</p></td></tr><tr><td>LONE PARENT AGE 18 OR OVER</td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Age 18 or over</p></td><td><p>43.94</p></td></tr><tr><td>PERSONAL ALLOWANCE FOR DEPENDENT CHILDREN</td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Person aged under 16</p></td><td><p>52.96</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Person aged 16 but under 18 (except where the person is a member of a Qualifying Couple)</p></td><td><p>39.80</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr></tbody></table><p>The Government has reviewed the allowances and concluded that the allowances are sufficient to cover the essential needs of asylum seekers and their families.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 27/10/2014 15:47:49 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

100012

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Finance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many asylum claimants are left without any state support, on reaching the age of 18.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL2227
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>There is no reason why any asylum seekers should be left without support on reaching the age of 18. Unaccompanied asylum seeking children are looked after by local authorities and most will continue to be supported in this way after the age of 18 under leaving care legislation while they remain in the UK.</p><p> </p><p>Any asylum seeker that does not have an entitlement to leaving care support would be eligible to support from the Home Office under the provisions of section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 if they were destitute.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 27/10/2014 12:40:35 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

93412

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many asylum seekers have had their application refused but could not be returned to their country of origin in each of the last five years.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL2078
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>The information requested in the noble Lord's question could only be obtained through a manual search of individual case files, which would incur adisproportionate cost. However, we do publish information on the outcome of asylum applications which may assist the noble Lord. This can be found at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/345774/asylum2-q2-2014-tabs.ods" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/345774/asylum2-q2-2014-tabs.ods</a></p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 27/10/2014 12:39:56 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

93413

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assistance is offered to failed asylum seekers in order to help them return to their country of origin.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL2079
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>The Home Office operates two Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) schemes for those without permanent immigration status in the UK and for which failed asylum seekers are eligible. These are:</p><p> </p><p>Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP) for those who have sought asylum and those with discretionary leave in the UK. Returnees receive support in acquiring travel documentation, flight to the country of return and onward domestic transport, airport assistance at departure and arrival airports and up to £1500 worth of reintegration assistance per person.</p><p> </p><p>Assisted Voluntary Return for Families and Children (AVRFC) is for families comprising of a maximum of 2 adult parents or legal guardians and at least 1 child (under 18), and also unaccompanied children (under 18) who have either sought asylum or who are in the UK illegally and wish to return home. Returnees receive support in acquiring travel documentation, flight to the country of return and onward domestic transport, airport assistance at departure and arrival airports and up to £2000 worth of reintegration assistance per person.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 27/10/2014 12:38:19 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

99956

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Police: Voluntary Work
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the number of volunteers working alongside the police in each of the last 10 years.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Smith of Basildon
	uin	HL2171
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>The Home Office does not collect figures on the number of volunteers who work alongside the police.</p><p> </p><p>However, the Home Office does collect and publish statistics on the number of special constables in England and Wales. Figures for the last ten years can be found in table 3 of the latest ‘Police Workforce, England and Wales’ statistical release, which can be accessed here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tables-for-police-workforce-england-and-wales-31-march-2014" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tables-for-police-workforce-england-and-wales-31-march-2014</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 27/10/2014 12:37:21 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	4170 label Biography information for Baroness Smith of Basildon

93736

	registered interest
	date	16/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	EU Immigration
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make proposals for better sharing of the burdens now falling on Malta, Italy and Greece from the flow of refugees and migrants seeking to enter Europe.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL2160
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>The Government believes that the best way to help EU Member States who are experiencing high levels of illegal migration and asylum claims is through practical co-operation and support to build up their capacity so they can cope with the pressures on their system. We already provide such support and will continue to do so, both through the European Asylum Support Office and bilaterally. We are also working with EU partners to strengthen border security, improve cooperation with source and transit countries and tackle the organised criminal groups involved in people smuggling and human trafficking.</p><p>We do not agree that burden sharing in the sense of intra-EU relocation of asylum seekers or refugees as advocated by the countries referred to is the right solution: we believe that such measures would induce even more illegal migrants to risk their lives making the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 27/10/2014 12:36:18 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

93739

	registered interest
	date	16/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Immigration
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the report by the Legal Action Group,<i> Chasing Status</i>, on the experience of legal long-term resident migrants under new immigration laws.
	tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
	uin	HL2163
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>The Home Office is aware of this report and will consider its contents. It is the responsibility of individuals to ensure that they have a proper basis of stay in the UK and to regularise their position if it is uncertain. The Government has required individuals to demonstrate their entitlement to work, benefits and public services for many years so the number of individuals who only now find they are unable to do so should be small.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 27/10/2014 12:32:19 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

93735

	registered interest
	date	16/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Frontex
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the ability of Frontex and Frontex Plus to cope with the influx of refugees and migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea, and in particular to prevent deaths by drowning.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL2159
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>Frontex is an EU Agency charged with coordination of Member States resources to improve the security and surveillance of the external borders of the Schengen area. The effectiveness of Frontex is entirely reliant on the willingness of the Member States to make those resources available.</p><p> </p><p>Search and Rescue remains outside the competence of the EU or its Agencies, including Frontex.</p><p> </p><p>We expect the Member States to give a positive response to the request from Frontex for adequate resources to deliver the aims of Operation ‘Triton’. ‘Triton’ is a border management operation which operates closer to the European coast than the current Italian operation ‘Mare Nostrum’. However it will respond to any search and rescue emergency declared within reach of its maritime assets.</p><p><br><br></p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 27/10/2014 12:31:23 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton