Asylum seekers in the UK will no longer be allowed to use taxis for medical appointments as of February, the government has announced. This decision follows a BBC investigation which discovered that some asylum seekers were taking long-distance taxi trips, with one individual reportedly traveling 250 miles to see a GP, incurring a £600 fee billed to the Home Office.
In response to these findings, the government conducted an urgent review into taxi use and costs for transferring asylum seekers from hotels to their necessary appointments. According to the review, an average of approximately £15.8 million per year has been spent on transportation for asylum seekers.
Earlier research by BBC Radio 4's File on Four indicated that asylum seekers were provided a bus pass for one return journey weekly, but taxis were used for other essential travels like doctor’s appointments. One subcontractor noted that a firm conducted up to 15 daily trips from a south-east London hotel to a nearby doctor’s surgery, collectively costing £1,000 per day.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced changes to these practices, stating, "I am ending the unrestricted use of taxis by asylum seekers for hospital appointments, authorizing them only in the most exceptional circumstances. I will continue to root out waste as we close every single asylum hotel." Mahmood mentioned that the government had inherited costly contracts from the Conservative administration.
Moving forward, asylum seekers will need to rely on alternative transportation methods, including public transport. Exceptions will be made for those with physical disabilities, chronic illnesses, and pregnancy-related needs, with approval required by the Home Office.
While some instances, such as moving between accommodations, will still allow taxi use, ministers are reviewing overall taxi usage, aiming to restrict it to exceptional circumstances supported by evidence. The government plans to cease using asylum hotels before the next election, promoting alternative accommodations like large military sites.
Despite these plans, this week’s figures reveal that 36,273 people remain in asylum hotels in the UK, an increase from June. Criticism about the rising cost of asylum accommodation persists since the current contracts took effect.
In an earlier BBC interview, the home secretary was asked about potentially utilizing break clauses in contracts with providers. Mahmood replied she would consider all options, although breaking contracts would necessitate finding alternative accommodations.