Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Asylum Support (Interim Provisions) Regulations 1999 (“the 1999 Regulations”).

Regulation 3 amends regulation 2(5) of the 1999 Regulations by extending “the interim period” during which local authorities are required to provide support to asylum seekers or their dependants who appear to be destitute or to be likely to become destitute. The day prescribed for the ending of the interim period is now 5th April 2004.

Regulation 4 amends regulation 2(6) of the 1999 Regulations by changing the period after which a claim for asylum is regarded as determined. Where the Secretary of State notifies the claimant that he accepts the asylum claim, or notifies the claimant that the asylum claim is rejected but at the same time gives him limited leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom, or where an appeal by the claimant against the Secretary of State’s decision has been disposed of by being allowed, the period is increased from 14 days to 28 days. In any other case, the period is increased from 14 days to 21 days.

Regulation 5 revokes regulation 5(5) of the 1999 Regulations. Regulation 5(5) provided that, except in the circumstances specified in that paragraph, support by way of payments made (by whatever means) was not to exceed £10 per person in any one week.