Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what payments to asylum seekers are delivered via the Asylum Support Payments contract.

The Home Office has a legal obligation to meet the essential living needs of destitute asylum seekers. Support is usually provided in the form of accommodation and a weekly allowance, which is reviewed each year to ensure it covers essential living needs.

The standard weekly level of allowance for individuals in self-catered accommodation will remain at £49.18. For individuals in catered accommodation, the standard weekly allowance is £9.95.

Additional support is also available to pregnant women, young children, and individuals who can show they have exceptional needs.