Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has for continuing to support people in the asylum system during the covid-19 outbreak.

Any asylum seeker who would otherwise be destitute can obtain support under section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 from the time they arrive in the UK, until their claim is fully determined, and they have exhausted their appeal rights.

During the covid 19 outbreak we suspended cessations to cases where the asylum claim had been determined. This is currently being reviewed.

A comprehensive cessation plan, on how to recommence support cessations is being worked through with discussions with Local Authorities, Other Government Departments and Stakeholders, which included members of the voluntary and community sector.

We remain committed to working closely with the accommodation providers and communicating with local authorities to relieve pressure and capacity as much as possible and ensure that health guidance is being followed.