The UK government has announced major changes to its asylum policy. According to the new bill, some refugees will be required to repay the state for the costs of their accommodation and support during the processing of their asylum claims. The initiative aims to optimize spending and redistribute financial responsibility.
The essence of the new bill
As reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing an official government release, the document titled the Immigration and Asylum Bill grants new powers to the Home Office. The department will now be able to recover costs from adult applicants who received state benefits for living expenses or food, provided they have sufficient income to repay the debt.
The expected compensation amount that may be demanded is around £10,000. In its statement, the government emphasizes that asylum support is not only a right but also a responsibility. Officials note that spending on the asylum system has already been reduced by £1 billion, yet it is fair to expect a contribution from those who are financially able.
Employment statistics and income
To justify the new measures, British authorities cite data on the employment of those who have been granted refugee status. According to government figures, within one year of receiving status, one in four people aged 16 to 64 found work. After two years, this figure approached 50%.
Furthermore, among those who continued working eight years after receiving status, 37% were employed full-time. The median annual income for this group was £23,000. These figures are used by the authorities as an argument that many status holders have the financial means to repay the costs.
Changes in the accommodation system
Alongside financial reforms, the optimization of migrant accommodation logistics continues. The government is closing hotels used for the temporary housing of refugees. Since April of this year, 31 such establishments have been closed. Some individuals have been moved to more basic housing, including former military sites, which helps reduce operational costs.
Who will be affected by the new rules
It is important to note that the new law does not single out Ukrainian citizens as a separate category. The new requirements apply to the standard asylum procedure. At the same time, most Ukrainians are in the UK under special programs: Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family Scheme, and Ukraine Extension Scheme, which have a different legal basis.
For Ukrainians planning to return home, a special platform called 'Home' is already operational. The service helps create a step-by-step action plan, from finding housing to arranging children's education. Previously, there were reports in the Council of Europe about attempts to reduce the presence of Ukrainian refugees in the EU, and experts discussed how the size of payments affects the employment of Ukrainians in European countries.
