UK asylum seekers face £10,000 repayment for living costs under new bill
9 reported2 unconfirmed
A new UK law, included in the immigration and asylum bill, would require asylum seekers to repay about £10,000 for state-funded living costs or be denied settled status. The means-tested scheme, compared by officials to student loans, was disclosed by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. Charities have condemned the plan as a tax on refugees fleeing war, torture and famine. The Home Office said the home secretary can adjust the charge, and migrants must pay the full amount before becoming eligible for settlement. An immigration expert noted that less than 15% of refugees earn more than £20,000 five years after being granted asylum, so the amount raised will be "relatively small." The bill is also expected to address how article 8 of the European convention on human rights is applied in immigration cases and to strengthen age assessments.
What’s reported
Asylum seekers would be ordered to pay about £10,000 to cover state-funded living costs or be denied settled status.
The scheme is included in the immigration and asylum bill and was compared by officials to student loans.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood disclosed the plans, with Labour under pressure to reduce the £4bn spent annually on asylum accommodation and support.
The home secretary will be able to adjust the charge, the Home Office said.
Successful asylum seekers deemed to have sufficient funds will be asked to hand over a flat rate charge.
Migrants must pay off the full amount before being eligible for settlement.
An immigration expert said less than 15% of refugees earn more than £20,000 five years after being granted asylum, so the amount raised will be "relatively small."
Charities condemned the plan as a tax on refugees fleeing war, torture and famine.
The bill is expected to direct how article 8 of the European convention on human rights is applied in immigration and deportation cases and to strengthen age assessments.
Open questions
The specific income thresholds at which asylum seekers will be expected to begin repaying cash have not been set; the Home Office said details would be set out in secondary regulations.
The full cost breakdown of the scheme has not been provided; the Home Office said it could not cost the scheme properly until thresholds are decided.
Key figures
Shabana Mahmood, home secretary
Imran Hussain, director of external affairs at the Refugee Council
Zoe Dexter, housing and welfare manager at the Helen Bamber Foundation
Madeleine Sumption, director of the University of Oxford’s Migration Observatory
Sources: The Guardian
