The UK government is advancing a proposal that would require some asylum seekers to contribute about £10,000 toward their state-funded living and support costs before being granted settled status. Coverage of the plan says it would be introduced through the immigration and asylum bill and is part of a means-tested scheme. The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, is cited as saying the current level of support costs is “too high,” and that the policy aims to change how those costs are covered.
Reporting across outlets describes the mechanism as linking payment to eligibility for settled status. Charities and refugee support organisations criticise the approach, arguing it effectively functions as a tax on people who have fled war, torture and famine. Some reporting also notes that government officials compare the structure to student-loan-style arrangements.
The proposal is scheduled to be considered by MPs, with the debate expected to weigh concerns about cost-sharing with the potential impact on asylum seekers’ ability to access settled status.
