Asylum Support (Prescribed Period) Bill [HL]

Debate between Lord Bishop of Chelmsford and Lord Davies of Gower

Committee stage
Friday 13th June 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Davies of Gower (Con)]

My Lords, I shall continue and maybe it will become clear to the noble Baroness.

Once a claim for asylum has been determined and found to be without merit, the presumption must shift. At that point, the focus should be on compliance with our immigration system, not on prolonging support mechanisms that are intended for those still within the asylum process. This Bill would do precisely the opposite. By this stage, the decision has been reached. The current system balances support for the person in question while recognising that the person has, according to the determination reached, no reason to remain in the United Kingdom.

We have a duty to the person in question, but we also have a fundamental duty to the taxpayer who, at the end of the day, foots the bill. By extending the support period from 28 to 56 days, all we do is risk creating a further incentive for delay and non-compliance. It sends entirely the wrong message, not just to those currently in the system, but to those considering making unfounded claims in the future.

[The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford]

I am sorry, but I am really confused, because what the noble Lord has said conflates two issues: those who have not been given leave to remain and those who have and for whom therefore the extension period is in order to give them a little bit longer to sort themselves out. They have been given their permission. Perhaps the noble Lord could either explain what I am failing to understand or clarify whether his point is about those who have been given leave to remain or who have not.

[Lord Davies of Gower (Con)]

Those who have not.