Explanatory note

These Regulations come into force on 4th June 2004. They amend the Asylum Support Regulations 2000 (“the 2000 Regulations”).

Regulation 2 amends regulation 10(2) of the 2000 Regulations (which was substituted by regulation 4(1) of the Asylum Support (Amendment) Regulations 2002). Regulation 10(2) sets out the kind and levels of support for essential living needs which the Secretary of State may be expected to provide as a general rule. The amendment made by regulation 2 replaces reference in regulation 10(2) to “vouchers redeemable for cash” with “cash”.

Regulation 3 amends regulation 10A of the 2000 Regulations (which was inserted by regulation 2 of the Asylum Support (Amendment) Regulations 2003). Regulation 10A sets out the additional support (to that provided under regulation 10(2)) which the Secretary of State shall as a general rule provide for a pregnant woman or a child under 3. The amendment made by regulation 3 replaces reference in regulation 10A to “vouchers redeemable for cash” with “cash support”.

Regulation 4 provides for the revocation and saving of regulation 11 of the 2000 Regulations. Regulation 11 had provided a power to the Secretary of State to make additional single payments at the end of each qualifying period. The saving retains the power to make such payments to a person whose qualifying period ends on or before the date on which regulation 4 comes into force.

Regulation 5 amends the Schedule to the 2000 Regulations to replace references to “voucher providers” and “vouchers” within the Notes to the Application form for asylum support with references to “cash support suppliers” and “cash support”.