Linked Data API

Show Search Form

Search Results

100998
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-10-27more like thismore than 2014-10-27
answering body
Home Office more like this
answering dept id 1 more like this
answering dept short name Home Office more like this
answering dept sort name Home Office more like this
hansard heading Asylum: Finance remove filter
house id 2 more like this
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many retailers are part of the Azure Card programme; and what is the total amount spent with each retailer since the card's inception. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Roberts of Llandudno more like this
uin HL2454 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2014-11-11more like thismore than 2014-11-11
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.</p><p>The card is updated each week with credit to the value of £35.39 for each person in the household to enable them to buy enough food and other essential items.</p><p>The table below lists the retailers that accept the Azure card and the total amounts spent at each of them since it was introduced. The table includes Peacocks, which no longer participates in the card scheme.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Retailer Name</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Value (£)</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Tesco</p></td><td><p>20,660,480.59</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Asda</p></td><td><p>11,373,929.59</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Sainsbury's</p></td><td><p>5,935,535.81</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Morrisons</p></td><td><p>2,528,626.86</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Boots</p></td><td><p>2,478,849.23</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Peacock Group</p></td><td><p>333,709.46</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Co-operative Group Food</p></td><td><p>250,074.03</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Food City Halal Market</p></td><td><p>202,813.59</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Mothercare</p></td><td><p>39,947.70</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Iceland Foods</p></td><td><p>38,311.88</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Midlands Co-operative</p></td><td><p>22,172.05</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Salvation Army</p></td><td><p>3,544.40</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>British Red Cross</p></td><td><p>3,380.32</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Masala Bazaar</p></td><td><p>330.55</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Holland and Barrett</p></td><td><p>326.68</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Information and training materials are provided to the retailers about the terms and conditions attached to the card, which are reviewed and updated regularly.</p><p>We are aware of some isolated instances where people have been denied purchases, but in the great majority of cases this is because they had insufficient funds on the card to buy the particular items.</p><p>If there is a defect in the card that means it cannot be used, for example because it has been damaged, arrangements are made to issue vouchers.</p><p> </p><p><br></p>
answering member printed Lord Bates more like this
grouped question UIN
HL2455 more like this
HL2456 more like this
HL2458 more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-11-11T17:10:18.432587Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-11T17:10:18.432587Z
answering member
1091
label Biography information for Lord Bates more like this
tabling member
3691
label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno more like this
100999
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-10-27more like thismore than 2014-10-27
answering body
Home Office more like this
answering dept id 1 more like this
answering dept short name Home Office more like this
answering dept sort name Home Office more like this
hansard heading Asylum: Finance remove filter
house id 2 more like this
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government why an Azure Card user does not qualify for emergency food vouchers when a technical problem occurs with the card. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Roberts of Llandudno more like this
uin HL2455 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2014-11-11more like thismore than 2014-11-11
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.</p><p>The card is updated each week with credit to the value of £35.39 for each person in the household to enable them to buy enough food and other essential items.</p><p>The table below lists the retailers that accept the Azure card and the total amounts spent at each of them since it was introduced. The table includes Peacocks, which no longer participates in the card scheme.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Retailer Name</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Value (£)</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Tesco</p></td><td><p>20,660,480.59</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Asda</p></td><td><p>11,373,929.59</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Sainsbury's</p></td><td><p>5,935,535.81</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Morrisons</p></td><td><p>2,528,626.86</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Boots</p></td><td><p>2,478,849.23</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Peacock Group</p></td><td><p>333,709.46</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Co-operative Group Food</p></td><td><p>250,074.03</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Food City Halal Market</p></td><td><p>202,813.59</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Mothercare</p></td><td><p>39,947.70</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Iceland Foods</p></td><td><p>38,311.88</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Midlands Co-operative</p></td><td><p>22,172.05</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Salvation Army</p></td><td><p>3,544.40</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>British Red Cross</p></td><td><p>3,380.32</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Masala Bazaar</p></td><td><p>330.55</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Holland and Barrett</p></td><td><p>326.68</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Information and training materials are provided to the retailers about the terms and conditions attached to the card, which are reviewed and updated regularly.</p><p>We are aware of some isolated instances where people have been denied purchases, but in the great majority of cases this is because they had insufficient funds on the card to buy the particular items.</p><p>If there is a defect in the card that means it cannot be used, for example because it has been damaged, arrangements are made to issue vouchers.</p><p> </p><p><br></p>
answering member printed Lord Bates more like this
grouped question UIN
HL2454 more like this
HL2456 more like this
HL2458 more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-11-11T17:10:19.8261374Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-11T17:10:19.8261374Z
answering member
1091
label Biography information for Lord Bates more like this
tabling member
3691
label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno more like this
100071
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-10-21more like thismore than 2014-10-21
answering body
Home Office more like this
answering dept id 1 more like this
answering dept short name Home Office more like this
answering dept sort name Home Office more like this
hansard heading Asylum: Finance remove filter
house id 2 more like this
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
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. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Roberts of Llandudno more like this
uin HL2277 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2014-10-28more like thismore than 2014-10-28
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 more like this
grouped question UIN
HL2278 more like this
HL2279 more like this
HL2280 more like this
HL2281 more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-10-28T15:17:54.1853177Zmore like thismore than 2014-10-28T15:17:54.1853177Z
answering member
1091
label Biography information for Lord Bates more like this
tabling member
3691
label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno more like this
100072
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-10-21more like thismore than 2014-10-21
answering body
Home Office more like this
answering dept id 1 more like this
answering dept short name Home Office more like this
answering dept sort name Home Office more like this
hansard heading Asylum: Finance remove filter
house id 2 more like this
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
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. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Roberts of Llandudno more like this
uin HL2278 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2014-10-28more like thismore than 2014-10-28
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 more like this
grouped question UIN
HL2277 more like this
HL2279 more like this
HL2280 more like this
HL2281 more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-10-28T15:17:55.3415588Zmore like thismore than 2014-10-28T15:17:55.3415588Z
answering member
1091
label Biography information for Lord Bates more like this
tabling member
3691
label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno more like this
100073
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-10-21more like thismore than 2014-10-21
answering body
Home Office more like this
answering dept id 1 more like this
answering dept short name Home Office more like this
answering dept sort name Home Office more like this
hansard heading Asylum: Finance remove filter
house id 2 more like this
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much they have spent on administering the Azure card system since its inception. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Roberts of Llandudno more like this
uin HL2279 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2014-10-28more like thismore than 2014-10-28
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 more like this
grouped question UIN
HL2277 more like this
HL2278 more like this
HL2280 more like this
HL2281 more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-10-28T15:17:55.7481075Zmore like thismore than 2014-10-28T15:17:55.7481075Z
answering member
1091
label Biography information for Lord Bates more like this
tabling member
3691
label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno more like this
100074
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-10-21more like thismore than 2014-10-21
answering body
Home Office more like this
answering dept id 1 more like this
answering dept short name Home Office more like this
answering dept sort name Home Office more like this
hansard heading Asylum: Finance remove filter
house id 2 more like this
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their forecast annual cost for administering the Azure card payment scheme in the coming year. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Roberts of Llandudno more like this
uin HL2280 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2014-10-28more like thismore than 2014-10-28
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 more like this
grouped question UIN
HL2277 more like this
HL2278 more like this
HL2279 more like this
HL2281 more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-10-28T15:17:56.0405779Zmore like thismore than 2014-10-28T15:17:56.0405779Z
answering member
1091
label Biography information for Lord Bates more like this
tabling member
3691
label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno more like this
100075
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-10-21more like thismore than 2014-10-21
answering body
Home Office more like this
answering dept id 1 more like this
answering dept short name Home Office more like this
answering dept sort name Home Office more like this
hansard heading Asylum: Finance remove filter
house id 2 more like this
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the conclusion of the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee that "section 4 is not the solution for people who have been refused but cannot be returned" as stated in their report <i>Asylum</i> (7th Report of session 2013–14, HC 71). more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Roberts of Llandudno more like this
uin HL2281 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2014-10-28more like thismore than 2014-10-28
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 more like this
grouped question UIN
HL2277 more like this
HL2278 more like this
HL2279 more like this
HL2280 more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-10-28T15:17:56.2935035Zmore like thismore than 2014-10-28T15:17:56.2935035Z
answering member
1091
label Biography information for Lord Bates more like this
tabling member
3691
label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno more like this
100008
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-10-20more like thismore than 2014-10-20
answering body
Home Office more like this
answering dept id 1 more like this
answering dept short name Home Office more like this
answering dept sort name Home Office more like this
hansard heading Asylum: Finance remove filter
house id 2 more like this
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to review the azure payment card for asylum seekers as a result of the new report by the British Red Cross on the humanitarian cost of the card. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Roberts of Llandudno more like this
uin HL2223 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2014-10-27more like thismore than 2014-10-27
answer text <p>The Azure card is issued to destitute failed asylum seekers who require support because they are temporarily unable to leave the United Kingdom and 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 and the views of reputable partners such as the Red Cross are carefully considered but the Government is satisfied that it is an effective way of ensuring the individuals are able to meet their essential living needs and not left destitute.</p> more like this
answering member printed Lord Bates more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-10-27T12:15:07.651748Zmore like thismore than 2014-10-27T12:15:07.651748Z
answering member
1091
label Biography information for Lord Bates more like this
tabling member
3691
label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno more like this
100012
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-10-20more like thismore than 2014-10-20
answering body
Home Office more like this
answering dept id 1 more like this
answering dept short name Home Office more like this
answering dept sort name Home Office more like this
hansard heading Asylum: Finance remove filter
house id 2 more like this
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many asylum claimants are left without any state support, on reaching the age of 18. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Roberts of Llandudno more like this
uin HL2227 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2014-10-27more like thismore than 2014-10-27
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> more like this
answering member printed Lord Bates more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-10-27T12:40:35.435951Zmore like thismore than 2014-10-27T12:40:35.435951Z
answering member
1091
label Biography information for Lord Bates more like this
tabling member
3691
label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno more like this
93411
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-10-14more like thismore than 2014-10-14
answering body
Home Office more like this
answering dept id 1 more like this
answering dept short name Home Office more like this
answering dept sort name Home Office more like this
hansard heading Asylum: Finance remove filter
house id 2 more like this
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
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. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Roberts of Llandudno more like this
uin HL2077 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2014-10-27more like thismore than 2014-10-27
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 more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-10-27T15:47:49.7271209Zmore like thismore than 2014-10-27T15:47:49.7271209Z
answering member
1091
label Biography information for Lord Bates more like this
tabling member
3691
label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno more like this