Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people granted refugee status in Newbury constituency were given seven days' notice to leave their asylum accommodation in each of the last three years; and whether her Department has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of the notice period of such changes a person granted refugee status is given.

The latest published Immigration Statistics detail the number of supported asylum seekers accommodated in each local authority area. These statistics can be found at Asylum and resettlement datasets Asylum and resettlement datasets - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/asylum-and-resettlement-datasets), under the document Asylum seekers in receipt of support (second edition). Data sets are published on a quarterly basis, the latest quarterly figures were released on 24 August 2023.

Under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, asylum seekers are provided with housing and basic living expenses whilst the outcome of their claim is determined. This is known as Section 95 support. When an asylum seeker’s claim has been successful, then they will be notified in writing that their Section 95 support will cease in 28 days. If their claim has been unsuccessful, they will be notified in writing that their Section 95 support will cease in 21 days. There is no legislative power to provide such asylum support beyond the 21- or 28-day prescribed periods and there are no plans to change this period.

We encourage individuals to make their onward plans as soon as possible after receiving their decision, whether that is leaving the UK following a refusal, or taking steps to integrate in the UK following a grant.

We also offer support to newly recognised refugees during the 28-day ‘move-on’ period, through Migrant Help or their partner organisations. This includes providing advice on accessing the labour market through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), providing advice on applying for Universal Credit and signposting to local authorities for assistance with housing. This will ensure that people can move on following a decision on their claim.

Furthermore, all individuals are also given 7 days clear notice to quit to align to the end of the 28/21 day period from the accommodation provider.