The UK government has unveiled plans requiring certain asylum seekers to repay the cost of accommodation and financial assistance they received while their asylum claims were being processed, as part of broader reforms to the country’s immigration system.
The proposed measures, included in the Immigration and Asylum Bill, would give the Home Office authority to recover asylum support costs from adults who later have sufficient financial means. Officials said the policy is intended to reduce the financial burden on taxpayers while ensuring vulnerable migrants are not pushed into poverty.
Under the proposal, eligible migrants would make fixed monthly repayments once their income exceeds a specified threshold. The government expects most repayments to be made directly to the Home Office, although deductions through the tax and welfare systems are also being considered.
Ministers said migrants would be required to repay the full amount before becoming eligible for permanent settlement in the UK. Individuals who leave the country would also need to clear any outstanding balance if they wish to return in the future.
The government estimates that eligible asylum seekers could repay around £10,000 (approximately $13,000) each as a contribution toward the accommodation and financial support they received.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood defended the proposal, saying the cost of providing asylum accommodation has become too expensive for taxpayers. She noted that the government has already reduced asylum-related spending by around £1 billion, but argued that those who are financially able should contribute to the costs once they are established.
According to the Home Office, asylum support cost the government around £4 billion last year. Officials said efforts to reduce expenses have already resulted in the closure of 31 asylum hotels since April, with many asylum seekers relocated to more basic accommodation, including former military sites.
Government figures estimate that housing an asylum seeker costs approximately £23.25 per person per night in standard accommodation and around £144 per night in hotels. Weekly financial support payments currently range from £9.95 to £49.18 per person.
The proposals have drawn criticism from refugee and human rights organizations. Amnesty International UK warned that several elements of the bill could weaken protections for asylum seekers, while migration experts said the reforms reflect a broader shift toward a more restrictive immigration system.
The government maintains that the new measures are designed to balance taxpayer interests with the UK’s obligations under international refugee and human rights law.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE