Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, with regard to the Asylum Support (Amendment No. 3 Regulations) 2015, they plan to publish (1) their detailed assessment of the compatibility of the regulations with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; (2) the Public Sector Equality Duty statement; and (3) the detailed review methodology, as set out in the consultation letters.

Asylum seekers, including dependants of asylum seekers, who are destitute are provided with accommodation and a cash allowance to cover their “essential living needs” - the legal test. The level of the allowance is kept under regular review.

The most recent review showed that the asylum support payments provided to larger household groups comfortably exceeded what is necessary to meet their essential living needs.

Along with accommodation, and free access to health care and education, the essential living needs covered by the asylum support rates are compatible with the UN Convention on the Rights of the child, and include nutrition, clothing and access to social, cultural and religious life.

In conducting the review, due regard was given the Public Sector Equality Duty and the assessment was that the reduced payments were still sufficient to meet those needs. The statement also sets out the methodology used in the review. A copy of the statement was recently provided on request to the House of Commons library.

The adequacy of the payment rates will be kept under review through the annual review cycle and in line with the statutory test to ensure that the right level of support is provided to asylum seekers and their families.