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By Lawrence Agbo
The United Kingdom government has unveiled plans to require certain asylum seekers to repay the cost of state support they received before becoming eligible for permanent residency.
Announcing the proposal on Tuesday, the Home Office said asylum seekers who are financially capable would be expected to contribute about £10,000 towards the cost of their accommodation and financial assistance before they can obtain indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
According to the Home Office, the measure is part of a broader reform package aimed at easing the financial burden of the asylum system on British taxpayers.
“New reforms will see asylum seekers pay towards the cost of their housing and financial support. Migrants who can afford to are expected to have to pay around £10,000 to be eligible for settlement,” the department said in a post on X.
The proposed policy will apply only to individuals deemed financially able to make repayments, with contributions expected to be determined through a means-testing process.
Officials said eligible migrants could repay the amount through monthly instalments or deductions from welfare benefits, while safeguards would be introduced to ensure the policy does not leave anyone destitute.
The reforms also stipulate that asylum seekers who leave the UK with unpaid balances will have to clear their outstanding debts if they intend to return to the country in the future.
The government said the initiative is intended to make the asylum system more sustainable, noting that accommodation and support for asylum seekers currently cost the UK about £4 billion annually.
Explaining the policy, Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood said those who receive state assistance should contribute once they are financially able.
“Receiving asylum support is a right, but it is also a responsibility. Once people can contribute and repay the generosity of the British people, we expect them to do so,” she said.
The proposed reforms are expected to be presented to Members of Parliament in the coming weeks as part of the government’s wider efforts to manage rising migration costs while maintaining protection for genuine asylum seekers.
