Azure Card

UK Border Agency - Introduction of the Section 4 'Azure' payment card.

Statement by the Minister for Borders and Immigration (Mr. Phil Woolas):

“The UK Border Agency expects those with no right to remain in the United Kingdom to return home voluntarily, if they choose not to, we will enforce their removal. Where an individual, through no fault of their own, cannot be removed we will provide support to prevent destitution. This form of support is called Section 4 support and is intended as a limited and temporary form of support. Historically, Section 4 support has been administered through a voucher system."

I have approved plans to introduce a plastic payment card system for the administration of Section 4 support, personalised for each applicant. This will enable the UK Border Agency to cut down on the abuse of asylum support and respond to criticisms from the voluntary sector about the stigmatising effect of vouchers on applicants.”

The UK Border Agency introduced this scheme in Scotland and Northern Ireland on the 30 November and it is being rolled out to all Section 4 applicants throughout the UK over the next 2 months.

Features of the new Section 4 payment card: 

• The pre-paid payment card is called the ‘Azure’ card
• It is administered on behalf of the UK Border Agency by its business partner Sodexo   and operates on the Visa network
• It will provide the service user with better value for money allowing them to spend exact amounts at the point of sale
• It will also provide the service user with a much wider choice of retail outlets including the following major supermarkets:Tesco, Sainsburys, Asda, Morrisons, Co-operative/Somerfield, Boots and Peacocks   
• The list is not yet finalised and other retailers will be added to it
• The UK Border Agency expects service users to keep track of what they spend each week but has provided a ‘freefone’ service to allow service users to check their balance
• The payment card will allow the UK Border Agency to investigate cases and cease support if it is not being used, provide management information and cut down abuse of the support system
• It will also stop the current practice of some well meaning charities of exchanging vouchers for cash, something the UK Border Agency does not condone