Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to extend the move-on period for newly recognised refugees to at least 56 days, in line with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the applications for Universal Credit; and whether they will publish a strategy to accompany any such plans.

An individual remains eligible for asylum support for a prescribed period from the day they are notified of the decision on their asylum claim. Where someone is given notice that their asylum claim has been granted, their appeal has been allowed or their asylum claim has been refused but they have been given leave to enter or remain, the prescribed period in legislation is 28 days. There has been no change to the prescribed period.

Individuals should make plans to move on from asylum support as quickly as possible. We offer support through Migrant Help or their partner organisation in doing this. This includes providing advice on accessing the labour market, on applying for Universal Credit and signposting to local authorities for assistance with housing.

We are engaging the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on ensuring individuals can move on from asylum support as smoothly as possible.

Figures on the number of discontinuations are not available in a readily reportable format.