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Lords debates Azure Card

21 November 2014

Image of UK Parliament portcullis

Members of the Lords debated the Azure Card, the payment card for refused asylum seekers, on Thursday 20 November.

Members spoke about the history of the Azure Card, introduced in November 2009. Peers asked whether the Azure Card allows asylum seekers to meet their basic needs, and if there is an alternative system to the card, they highlighted that the card is not accepted on public transport and can only be used at certain retailers.

Members also asked if a cost-benefit analysis of the Azure card programme could be carried out, to make a comparison between the cost of the card and the cost of the cash.

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