Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will estimate the number of asylum seeker applicants in the UK who were living in poverty in each of the last five years.

If asylum seekers are destitute they are provided with support by the UK taxpayer. The support usually consists of accommodation and a cash allowance to cover essential living needs.

The cash allowance is also provided if the asylum seeker is living with friends or relatives but needs assistance to meet their essential living needs.