Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the suitability of the 28 day period given to people granted the right to remain in the UK to find housing and employment.

Asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute are supported by the Home Office under section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

If they are granted refugee status, this support ends 28 days later because they are given permission to work and can apply for any welfare benefits and local authority housing assistance for which they may be eligible.

We are working closely with the Department for Work and Pensions and others to ensure that newly recognised refugees engage promptly with Jobcentre Plus and the local authority about these matters.