United Kingdom plans £10,000 charge for asylum seekers

Asylum seekers in the United Kingdom who are granted the right to work may be required to pay a fixed fee to become eligible for

Manchester: Asylum seekers in the United Kingdom who are granted the right to work may be required to pay a fixed fee to become eligible for permanent settlement under proposed new legislation.

According to British media reports, asylum seekers who receive protection in the UK and later begin earning an income under government support schemes could be asked to contribute towards the cost of their accommodation and assistance.

Under the proposed measures included in the new Immigration and Asylum Bill, eligible individuals may be required to repay up to £10,000 to the government over time.

The proposed legislation also states that individuals whose asylum applications have been rejected, or who have voluntarily left the country, may be required to cover certain costs if they wish to return to the United Kingdom in the future.

UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the changes are intended to reinforce the idea that while seeking asylum is a right for those in need of protection, it also carries responsibilities.

She stated that migrants who are employed and earn above a specified income threshold would be expected to repay a fixed amount under the scheme.

Reports indicate that the Home Secretary would have the authority to adjust the level of charges and repayment limits in the future to ensure the system remains fair to taxpayers while avoiding undue financial pressure on refugees.

Meanwhile, Madeleine Sumption, Director of the Migration Observatory at University of Oxford, said the proposals would move Britain’s immigration system towards a more restrictive approach.

The proposed reforms are expected to generate debate over the balance between supporting refugees and managing public spending on asylum and immigration services in the UK.