Asylum: Finance

(asked on 24th April 2025) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many ASPEN cards have been reported (a) lost and (b) stolen since 5 July 2024.


Answered by
Angela Eagle Portrait
Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Home Office)
This question was answered on 1st May 2025

Aspen cards are issued only to the main applicants on claims for Asylum Support and can only be used for chip and pin payments. Asylum seekers are able to report any difficulties, including loss or theft of their Aspen card, by calling Migrant Help, available 24/7 by telephone, webchat or email.

The Home Office publishes regular information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts, but the specific cost data requested is considered commercially sensitive, and its disclosure could undermine the ability of the Home Office to secure maximum value for money in future contract negotiations.

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