Asylum Support (Prescribed Period) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 25 of 2024–25
The Asylum Support (Prescribed Period) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Labour). It was introduced in the House of Lords on 6 September 2024 and is due to have its second reading on 13 December 2024.
The current prescribed period in relation to asylum support is 28 days. During this period, the applicant can continue to receive public support such as temporary housing and/or a cash allowance. After 28 days, eligibility to that support ceases.
Various stakeholders and charities working with asylum seekers have argued that the current 28-day period is not long enough and that it can contribute to destitution and homelessness of refugees. Baroness Lister has said the purpose of the bill is to address this issue by extending the prescribed period to 56 days. This would align it with the period in which local authorities must work with those at risk of homelessness under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
The former Conservative government resisted attempts to extend the prescribed period. It argued temporary accommodation for asylum seekers was under strain and extending the period would not be a responsible use of taxpayers’ money.
On 5 December 2024, BBC News reported that the Labour government had written to local authorities and other stakeholders to inform them that the prescribed period would be extended to 56 days, as part of a trial. This would begin on 9 December 2024 and continue until June 2025, at which point it would be reviewed.