“A minor comment.With their genuine concern (rightly or wrongly)for the seekers of asylum,certain agencies/charities use the cards themselves,for the charity/agency but let the seeker have the money to buy/use other shops/stores.”

“I have attended one of these shopping sessions. Many asylum seekers have come to the UK in fear of their lives - looking for safety and a refuge - looking for "asylum". Sometimes they have left horrific situations and sometimes they have had to leave their families behind. What sort of a country are we if we then make life really difficult, adding to their trauma? The current system doesn't support them very well - it needs changing.”

“I am proud to have supported Bessie's initiative this week and will do so again. I couldn't survive without some cash and no one should have to! These are human beings - people like you and me who have sometimes tragic tales to tell.

They are not scroungers or malingerers and would work and pay their way if they were allowed. But we (yes we), because we have the power to vote - support the travesty that is the asylum seekers system, that makes survival so difficult. These are children, young adults, mothers, brothers, sisters who need our help and understanding. Yes, people can walk - but with a broken ankle! I am sure some want to 'go home' but can't as the government can't organise anything properly - let alone travel.

Asylum Seeker: If I go back home I will be killed! Government: Well yes, that may be so but we are sending you home anyway because you cannot prove it. If you are killed we will apologise to your family - if they are still alive!”

“This azure card system seems crazy to me. If people are in the unfortunate position of having to have fled their country, been refused permission to stay in this one but are prevented from leaving it either, if they are going to be provided with some means of not starving why on earth can't they at least have cash so they can support local traders like the market stall holders, rather than having to visit a supermarket?”

“All those commenting above are right. The asylum process is costly to the taxpayer and the failed asylum seekers should go back home. But the process is costly because it is badly organized and much too complex. It takes years before a decision is made. Appeals are equally complicated and prolonged. So, it is not the fault of the asylum seekers that they are waiting for years for some decision. If the decision is negative, then the process of sending people back should be better organized and destitute individuals should not be kept in limbo. But as long as they are here they should be treated better than they are at the moment. This matters a lot because the asylum seekers come from the countries which Britain either occupied in the past, or is trying to teach now how to conduct their affair. Zimbabwe, Sudan, Iraq and Afghanistan are prime examples. As for the ¿¿Fist Bus¿¿ company, it is wrong to say that it is not operating in the countries where the asylum seekers come from. It is a global operator in the same way Arriva and Stage Coach are. I recommend that readers go to Hong Kong and see how much better these companies are doing there than in Leicester, and how much less Hong Kong passengers are paying for travel.”

“I still dont get how a failed asylum seeker can still be wandering round the country? surely when your application is refused you should go straight back to where you came from without even touching the outside world and appeal it there! if however the situation is so bad that you can't return to your own country then why would you have your application rejected in the first place.....this whole process never adds up and it always ends up with the tax payer footing the bill.”

“Why should they have cash, if they have failed to meet the criteria, send them home!

Who says catching a bus or getting a hair cut is a neccessity in life?

Im sure they are used to walking, as im sure they dont have the 'First Buses' where they are from.

When I was younger, my mum, my sister and I would walk from Beaumont Leys to the city centre, never did us any harm, we got exercise!

Blinking hell! They should appreciate whatever they can get, not p!$$ and moan about what they can't! people expect too much!”

“So they are not Asylum seakers at all. They have either failed to meet the asylum criteria or have agreed to go home. So... go home! why are we even supporting these people out of our hard earned taxes at all?”

“So many people are ignorant of the real plight of asylum seekers and choose to believe the stereotypes perpetuated in the popular press. The Mercury is to be commended for this article.
A few more facts. Legally, 'Section 4' asylum seekers are not allowed to receive their benefit in cash - and, of course, they have to receive benefit because they are not allowed to work. Repealing these two restrictions is a priority. 'Section 4' was only ever intended as a temporary measure, in force while appeals were heard, but many people I know (including families with children) have been on it for years, even though in our society it is virtually impossible to manage without cash for any length of time. In addition, though the asylum seekers' Azure cards are topped up with £35 each week, they are not able to carry credit over from one week to the next. Buying a gift card is a way of 'saving' a small sum to be carried over into the week when they find they have to spend their whole week's allowance on - say - a coat or a pair of shoes. I urge your readers to support Bessie Hayes' initiative.”