Government requires asylum seekers to repay up to 10,000 pounds for accommodation
The government announced plans to require asylum seekers to repay up to 10,000 pounds for accommodation costs under a new Immigration and Asylum Bill. Some new build homes in Shropshire and Stoke Heath have been allocated to asylum seekers.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The government has announced plans to require asylum seekers to repay up to 10,000 pounds towards the cost of their accommodation and support once they start earning. The measure is part of a new Immigration and Asylum Bill being introduced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who said the current cost to taxpayers is too high.
Under the proposals, adults granted asylum who are earning above a certain threshold (yet to be set) will have to pay a flat rate of around 10,000 pounds. The repayment system will work like a student loan, with monthly deductions from wages. Migrants will not be eligible for settled status (indefinite leave to remain) until the full amount is repaid. The requirement will also apply to those whose asylum claims are rejected and who leave the UK; they will need to settle any outstanding debt before being allowed to return.
The Home Office spent about 4 billion pounds last year on asylum accommodation, food, clothing and travel allowances. The government says the bill is designed to create a "firm but fair" system and reduce the pull factors driving illegal migration. Other parts of the bill include tightening rules on using human rights and modern slavery legislation to avoid removal, and creating an independent body of specially trained members of the public to decide asylum appeals instead of immigration judges.
Separately, it was reported that 83 asylum seekers are to be moved into new build homes worth around 250,000 pounds each on an estate in Shropshire. Local residents said they were told the development would be for affordable housing. The story has added to public anger over the allocation of housing to asylum seekers while many British people struggle to get on the property ladder.
Critics have questioned how much money the repayment plan will actually raise. Experts from the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford said only a small proportion of refugees earn enough to make repayments. Home Office figures from 2023 show that five years after gaining status, only 13% of refugees were earning more than 20,000 pounds a year. Many were not working at all or earned less than 10,000 pounds. Charities including the Refugee Council called the plan an "extra tax on refugees" that would make it harder for them to rebuild their lives.
Political reaction has been mixed. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the Conservatives had tried similar measures but Labour rejected them. Some Labour MPs are expected to oppose the stronger elements of the bill. The legislation is expected to come into force by the end of next year, by which time the government may have changed leadership, with Andy Burnham widely expected to become prime minister.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC One | Channel 4 | GB News | ITV | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The government spent £4 billion on asylum accommodation and support last year. | ||||||
| Only a small proportion of refugees earn enough to repay; for example, 13% earn over £20,000 five years after gaining status. | · | · | ||||
| 83 asylum seekers are to be moved into newly built homes worth £250,000 each in Stoke Heath, Shropshire. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| 87% of asylum seekers do not go on to work. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| Asylum seekers can receive up to £50 a week for food, clothing and travel. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| Hotel accommodation for asylum seekers costs around £144 per night. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| The average wait for asylum seekers in hotels or accommodation is over a year. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| The income threshold for repayments is still to be decided. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| The new law is expected to come into force by the end of next year. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| There are around 100,000 asylum seekers housed by the taxpayer, including 21,000 in hotels. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| Under 3,000 people have crossed the Channel illegally in the last two or three weeks. | · | · | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
GB News focused heavily on the perceived unfairness of giving asylum seekers new build homes while British people struggle. The tone was highly critical, with panelists calling the system 'rigged' and arguing the repayment plan is a gimmick that will not work. The channel also linked the story to broader concerns about the European Convention on Human Rights and the inability to deport foreign criminals.
- “So it's two stories in one, right? So it's like a bingo card, really.”
- “This goes too far, and actually this widens the gap.”
- “The system is rigged.”
Sky News provided a straightforward, factual breakdown of the four main parts of the proposal. It included expert analysis from the Migration Observatory questioning the likely revenue, and noted the political context of Labour previously opposing similar Tory plans. The tone was neutral and informative.
- “A new proposal by the government to essentially reduce the financial burden on the UK taxpayer”
- “Experts are suggesting that actually relatively few asylum seekers who are then given permission to work will make enough money”
5 News presented the story in a clear, explanatory style, focusing on how the repayment system would work and the costs involved. It highlighted the low earnings of refugees and the high cost of hotel accommodation, raising practical questions about who would actually be able to repay.
- “Well, that is one of the main questions being raised”
- “The government says that taxpayers spent around 4 billion pounds last year supporting asylum seekers”
BBC ONE West offered a balanced, detailed report including a direct quote from the Home Secretary and expert analysis from the Migration Observatory. It also covered other elements of the bill, such as changes to asylum appeals and family reunion rules. The tone was factual and measured, giving space to both government rationale and charity criticism.
- “Receiving asylum support is a right but it is also a responsibility.”
- “It's likely that a relatively small share of refugees will end up paying this charge.”
ITV1 reported the plan with a focus on the political context, including the upcoming change in prime minister and the reaction from the Refugee Council. The tone was neutral but included a strong critical quote from the charity. It also noted that the repayment threshold has not yet been decided.
- “These proposals sound like an extra tax on refugees, penalising them for being victims of terror and torture.”
- “The Home Secretary says it is about the asylum system being a right, but also a responsibility.”
Channel 4 combined the policy announcement with a human interest story, interviewing a Somali refugee who criticised the plan. It also included a Conservative MP calling the plan a 'gimmick' and highlighted the political uncertainty with Andy Burnham set to become prime minister. The tone was balanced but gave voice to refugee perspectives.
- “I don't think it's fair and I don't think it's right. People are running with their lives and trying to get a better life.”
- “I think this is another gimmick from a weak government and a weak home secretary.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.