Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 49534 on Asylum: Finance, how many instances of Aspen card usage for purposes not within the parameters of the cards’ use have been recorded since 5 July 2025.

Aspen cards are issued only to the main applicants on claims for Asylum Support. Those on Section 95 support are able to withdraw cash and utilise chip and pin for transactions. Aspen cards for those on Section 4 can only be used for chip and pin payments. Asylum seekers are able to report any difficulties, including loss or theft of their Aspen card, by calling Migrant Help, available 24/7 by telephone, webchat or email.

The Home Office publishes regular information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts, but the specific cost data requested is considered commercially sensitive, and its disclosure could undermine the ability of the Home Office to secure maximum value for money in future contract negotiations.