Paying failed asylum seekers to leave is value for money, says Mahmood
Summary
The UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, suggested increasing payments to failed asylum seekers to encourage voluntary departure from the UK, arguing it saves taxpayer money. This proposal is part of wider changes to the asylum system, which also include plans to deport families with rejected asylum claims, even if they include children. Mahmood's statements have been criticized by some Labour MPs and peers.Key Facts
- Shabana Mahmood is the UK's Home Secretary.
- She proposed increasing cash payments to failed asylum seekers to persuade them to leave the UK on their own.
- Mahmood claims this approach is more cost-effective for taxpayers than keeping failed asylum seekers in the country.
- It currently costs approximately £30,000 annually to support each failed asylum seeker in the UK.
- The current maximum payment offered for voluntary departure is around £3,000.
- Plans to deport families with rejected asylum claims, including those with children, have faced criticism from some Labour Party members.
- Mahmood emphasized that removing families is not using children as a bargaining tool, but rather a measure to deter dangerous travel.
- The proposal includes ensuring that high-value assets of asylum seekers, like luxury items, contribute to their costs.
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