Mahmood to end duty to support some asylum seekers

Shabana Mahmood will end the Government’s duty to support all destitute asylum seekers as she seeks to shut more asylum hotels, sources have said.

The Home Secretary intends to remove support from some asylum seekers and begin evicting people from hotels in the spring.

In a move first reported by the i paper, Ms Mahmood will target asylum seekers who could support themselves financially but choose not to, along with those who have a right to work, who break the law or work illegally, and those who refuse an order to leave the UK.

Shabana Mahmood

This is expected to allow her to remove support from thousands of the 111,651 people receiving payments or accommodation from the Government. But many are likely to remain eligible for support.

Around 36,000 asylum seekers were housed in hotels at the end of September, the latest available figures show, with the Home Office saying fewer than 200 hotels are now in use.

Other policies under consideration, according to the i paper, include finding alternative accommodation for asylum seekers, such as military barracks or multiple-occupation houses, expanding the one-in, one-out deal with France and striking a new agreement with Germany. Asylum seekers from Syria could also face removal to their home country, with the Government deeming it safer after the fall of the Assad regime at the end of 2024.

Shabana Mahmood to end duty to support some asylum seekers in bid to shut hotels