Government decision to hit refugees at 'most vulnerable' time
10.06.04

Leading children's charity the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) has spoken out against an amendment placed by the government to the current asylum and immigration bill, which will stop the back-dating of financial support for refugees in the UK.

The Home Office announced the amendments this week. It will mean that when asylum seekers are granted refugee status, they will no longer be able to claim financial support for the time they had to wait for the government to make a decision.

'This decision by the government is grossly unfair. It will hit refugees at their most vulnerable time,' said Welfare Rights Worker Pamela Fitzpatrick from the Child Poverty Action Group.

'Refugees often have to wait many years for the Home Office to process their application for asylum. During this time, they are expected to live on a minimal payment from the National Asylum Support System.'

'To then be informed that they have been granted asylum but not the much needed financial support is a slap in the face,' she said.

CPAG have pointed out that government regulations allow back-dating of benefits. This is a legal remedy passed by parliament in recognition that the denial of benefit to refugees is contrary to international law.

The decision by the Home Office comes after a prolonged time of what CPAG calls 'anti-asylum' stories in some areas of the media.

'It appears that once again, government policy on asylum and immigration is being dictated by a few tabloid headlines,' Pamela Fitzpatrick said.

'We are concerned that the Home Office is increasingly speaking on benefit issues - when these do not and should not fall under their jurisdiction.

'We will continue to speak up for refugees and asylum seekers who are some of the most vulnerable in our society and who need and deserve basic financial support.'

CPAG has recently published Poverty: the facts. This is the most up to date, authoritative and independent analysis of poverty in the UK. It shows that groups who work with asylum seekers and refugees report that 85% of their clients experience hunger. 95% report that they can not afford clothes or shoes and 80% said their clients are not able to maintain good health.

For more information contact:

Ashley Riley
Press Officer
Tel 020 7812 5216
Mobile 07811 324339
ariley@cpag.org.uk

Pamela Fitzpatrick
Welfare Rights Worker
020 7812 5221
pfitzpatrick@cpag.org.uk

The Child Poverty Action Group is a leading charity campaigning for the eradication of child and family poverty in the UK. CPAG publishes research on poverty among children and young people and seeks positive solutions through lobbying and campaign work. The charity helps ensure that families receives the financial support they are entitled to by providing expert advice, training and information for advice workers on all aspects of the tax credit and social security systems. CPAG is a membership organisation with around 4,000 member organisations and supporters. Website: www.cpag.org.uk