Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure that benefit applications by people who have been granted the right to remain in the UK are not affected by the time taken for confirmation of leave to remain.

Following a grant of permission to remain on a basis that provides access to benefits, individuals are issued with written confirmation that there are no longer any restrictions on them living and working in the UK. The letter confirms that a Biometric Residence Permit will normally be issued within 7 days from the date of decision, which can then be used as evidence of immigration status in support of any application for benefits.