Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 12:28:25 +0100 From: Mark Watson Stonewall Immigration Group Press release Friday 21 June 1996 Court of Appeal rules against Home Office re benefits for asylum seekers. The Court of Appeal has ruled this morning that the withdrawal of benefits from asylum seekers is unlawful. In February new asylum seekers in to the UK who claimed asylum after arrival were denied all benefits, housing and the right to work for 6 months. Any existing asylum seekers who were appealing against a refusal were also denied any assistance. Large numbers of asylum seekers were therefore forced onto the streets or had to rely on friends and relatives for support and accommodation. Peter Lilley, the Secretary of State for Social Security, wanted to introduce these measures in January 1996 but faced a challenge by Westminster council (a Conservative Council) because the council faced huge bills for accommodating the children of asylum seekers who were forced to become homeless. The new benefit cuts then came into force in February but were quickly challenged by immigration rights groups. The Home Office won the first case in court but this decision was appealed to the Court of Appeal. The department of Social Security now face huge bills from asylum seekers who could claim back the benefits they have been denied. Unfortunately a number of asylum seekers may have had to return to persecution in their own countries because of the financial difficulties they faced here - particularly through the winter months. The Home Office and Social Security department may now seek leave to have the case heard in the House of Lords. ENDS Mark Watson Stonewall 16 Clerkenwell Close London EC1R 0AA Tel. 0171 336 8860 Fax. 0171 336 8864 mark@stonewall.org.uk http://www.tyger.co.uk/sig/