Africans, others to pay  £10,000 for  asylum in UK 

The UK government has unveiled plans to require asylum seekers to repay around £10,000 in housing and financial support costs before becoming eligible to apply for permanent settlement in Britain.

The proposal, which is still subject to approval by Members of Parliament, forms part of the government’s broader effort to reduce the country’s annual asylum support bill, estimated at about £4 billion.

The UK Home Office announced the proposed reforms on Tuesday in a post on X, stating that asylum seekers who are financially able would be expected to contribute towards the cost of the support they received.

“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 Home Office said.

Under the proposed policy, migrants who leave the UK would also be required to clear any outstanding repayments if they intend to return to the country.

The government said repayments would be means-tested, allowing eligible individuals to make monthly contributions or have deductions made from their benefits. Safeguards would also be introduced to ensure that repayments do not leave people destitute.

According to the Home Office, the reforms are intended to ease the financial burden on taxpayers while ensuring that those who have benefited from state support contribute when they are in a position to do so.

Explaining the rationale behind the proposal, UK Interior Minister said the reforms strike a balance between providing protection to those in need and ensuring fairness to taxpayers.

“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,” Mahmood said.

If approved by Parliament, the new repayment requirement would become part of the conditions asylum seekers must meet before qualifying for settlement in the UK.