The UK government is introducing a new flat-rate fee for asylum seekers who have the legal right to work and wish to qualify for permanent settlement.
According to British media reports, under the proposed Immigration and Asylum Bill, asylum recipients who begin earning an income will be required to repay the cost of government-provided accommodation and support, with payments potentially reaching £10,000.
The proposed legislation also states that individuals whose asylum claims have been rejected, or who have left the UK, may be required to cover certain costs if they seek to return in the future.
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the reforms are intended to reinforce that while seeking asylum is a right, it also carries responsibilities. Migrants who are working and earning above a specified threshold will be required to repay a fixed amount toward the support they received.
Reports indicate that the Home Secretary will have the authority to adjust the fee structure and repayment thresholds in the future to ensure the system remains fair for taxpayers while avoiding undue financial hardship for refugees.
Madeleine Sumption, Director of the Migration Observatory, said the proposed measures would move the UK’s immigration system toward a more restrictive policy framework.
