Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of Digital ID checks for the right to work on the ability of asylum seekers to compete against British nationals in the job market.
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
Asylum seekers who have been granted permission to work are expected to be able to obtain a digital ID for right-to-work checks once the scheme is fully implemented. As announced by the Prime Minister on 26 September, digital checks of an individual’s digital ID to establish right to work will become mandatory by the end of the Parliament.
The digital ID system will build on existing digital right-to-work checks for foreign nationals, where eVisa share codes are currently used, making the process more streamlined. It will standardise verification across all individuals, including British nationals, but will not change the underlying eligibility rules for asylum seekers.
Asylum seekers are generally not allowed to work while their claim is being considered and receive support to meet essential living needs if they would otherwise be destitute. They may apply for permission to work only if their claim has been outstanding for 12 months or more through no fault of their own.
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made with the Ministry of Justice of the capacity of the legal system to offer early legal advice to asylum seekers.
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
Reforms to the appeals system, including the development of a new independent appeals body will help asylum seekers have access to justice, overcome delays and restore public confidence. Early legal advice will be embedded as a core part of these reforms.
We will work closely with the Ministry of Justice to understand and manage the justice impacts of all proposals, including ensuring there is sufficient capacity to deliver early legal advice.
Further details on these reforms will be set out in due course.
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, updated on 20 November 2025, what are the criteria for refugees to become eligible for the work and study route.
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
The earned settlement consultation launched on 20 November 2025.
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the costs of deporting migrants through return hubs.
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Prime Minister has been clear since entering government that we need to have innovative and bold solutions to reduce the burden of migration on UK taxpayers. It would not be appropriate to pre-empt the outcome of ongoing negotiations and further details will be released in due course. Our guiding principle will always be something that is workable and meets international obligations.
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what criteria her Department is using to determine the correct financial remuneration for assisted voluntary return.
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
All criteria for accessing support to return is set out on the Voluntary Returns Service webpage at Get help to return home if you’re a migrant in the UK: Who can get help - GOV.UK
We are planning to pilot an increased financial package for a limited time for those willing to return home voluntarily, saving the taxpayer money on costly asylum accommodation. We have not yet alighted on the full sums involved or eligibility criteria.
Voluntary removals save the UK taxpayer money on expensive asylum accommodation and costs of detention, appeals, and other legal challenges are also significantly reduced.
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what payment package her Department is considering as part of assisted voluntary return.
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
All criteria for accessing support to return is set out on the Voluntary Returns Service webpage at Get help to return home if you’re a migrant in the UK: Who can get help - GOV.UK
We are planning to pilot an increased financial package for a limited time for those willing to return home voluntarily, saving the taxpayer money on costly asylum accommodation. We have not yet alighted on the full sums involved or eligibility criteria.
Voluntary removals save the UK taxpayer money on expensive asylum accommodation and costs of detention, appeals, and other legal challenges are also significantly reduced.
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her department's policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, updated on 20 November 2025, what assessment has her department made of the risks to asylum seekers with no state support from exploitation by organised crime.
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
Asylum seekers are not eligible for mainstream benefits (such as universal credit) which are available to British citizens and other permanent residents. However, if they would otherwise be destitute, the Home Office currently has a legal duty to offer support, which generally consist of providing accommodation and a cash allowance to cover their essential living needs.
We will be revoking that duty, restoring a discretionary power for the Home Office to offer support, as previously provided under UK law.
We will deny support to those who are able to support themselves, or have deliberately made themselves destitute. We will remove support from those who fail to comply with UK law or conditions of support.
Details of how eligibility considerations will apply will be set out in published guidance in due course.
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her department's policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, updated on 20 November 2025, who will hold the discretionary power to decide if asylum seekers can receive benefits.
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
Asylum seekers are not eligible for mainstream benefits (such as universal credit) which are available to British citizens and other permanent residents. However, if they would otherwise be destitute, the Home Office currently has a legal duty to offer support, which generally consist of providing accommodation and a cash allowance to cover their essential living needs.
We will be revoking that duty, restoring a discretionary power for the Home Office to offer support, as previously provided under UK law.
We will deny support to those who are able to support themselves, or have deliberately made themselves destitute. We will remove support from those who fail to comply with UK law or conditions of support.
Details of how eligibility considerations will apply will be set out in published guidance in due course.
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of supporting work asylum seekers who do not qualify for benefits on local authority spending.
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
Asylum seekers are not eligible for mainstream benefits (such as universal credit) which are available to British citizens and other permanent residents. However, if they would otherwise be destitute, the Home Office currently has a legal duty to offer support, which generally consist of providing accommodation and a cash allowance to cover their essential living needs.
We will be revoking that duty, restoring a discretionary power for the Home Office to offer support, as previously provided under UK law.
We will deny support to those who are able to support themselves, or have deliberately made themselves destitute. We will remove support from those who fail to comply with UK law or conditions of support.
Details of how eligibility considerations will apply will be set out in published guidance in due course.
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her department's policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, updated on 20 November 2025, what process will her department use to define "vulnerable groups".
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
The earned settlement consultation launched on 20 November 2025.