Lord Roger Roberts has been asking more questions again, in the House of Lords, about the Azure Card. He asked about :
There were very disappointing answers from the Minister, Lord Bates, though. The Conservative Ministers just do not appear to understand the situation at all, and how difficult it is to live on the Azure Card.
It is Liberal Democrat policy to abolish the Azure Card, and give all those seeking asylum section 95 payments (the payments that most other asylum seekers receive) until a person either has leave to remain and a job or benefits – or has to leave the country. Also that the level of Section 95 payments is reviewed to ensure that they are set at a fair level, and then uprated in line with other benefits. This would move the situation forward from the present, where there has been no increase at all since April 2011. We are grateful to Lord Roberts for continuing to press the Government on this issue, and it is hoped that a new Government will listen and act.