Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, as section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 is intended to promote a form of temporary support, Azure Card users can be returned to provision under section 95 for cash support after a period of one year.

It is not currently possible to purchase travel tickets with the Azure card for practical reasons. Accommodation is provided within walking distance of shops and other services and tickets are provided for essential medical appointments.

Information and guidance about travel assistance is published on the GOV.UK website and it is widely known about by the voluntary sector organisations that assist Azure card users, including Migrant Help, which is funded by the Home Office to provide an advice service. Additionally, a mailshot sent out in the week commencing 16 February 2015 provided a reminder to all card users of where to find information on applying for additional assistance.

Any retail outlet that provides food and other essential living items and accepts visa transactions can apply to join the Azure card scheme. The card is currently accepted by Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrison’s, the Co-operative, Iceland, Boots, Mothercare, The British Red Cross, The Salvation Army and a few small independent retailers.

Support is provided in some circumstances to failed asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. This is generally because there is a temporary legal or practical obstacle to their departure, for example because the person is too sick to travel or needs time to apply for the necessary travel document. The Government currently has no plans to change this provision.