Cash threat denied by government

The government has denied claims that asylum
seekers who choose to live with friends and family will have their
financial assistance withdrawn under the new cash scheme to replace
vouchers from April.

Under proposals outlined in last month’s Home
Office white paper (News, page 6, 14 February), asylum seekers
selected to live in one of four new accommodation centres will be
expected to take up a place or forfeit any government help, as will
those who signed up for the dispersal system. But concerns that the
system will require the 20,000 asylum seekers living with friends
and family to move into government-run accommodation in order to
receive money have been rejected.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “If asylum
seekers can provide a name and address for the person they are
staying with, and we are satisfied that they will not abscond, then
they can stay there and claim cash.”