Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her Department's definition is of essential living needs in the context of accommodation for asylum seekers.

Support provided under section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 is usually provided in the form of accommodation (with no utility bills or Council Tax to pay) and a weekly cash allowance to cover the asylum seeker’s other essential living needs. Free access to healthcare and schooling is also provided.

The weekly cash allowance for those in dispersed accommodation is intended to meet the seven essential living needs which are: food and non-alcoholic drinks, clothing, communications, travel, non-prescription medicine, toiletries and laundry.

Our reports on this can be found here: Report on review of cash allowance paid to asylum seekers - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)