The UK government has unveiled plans requiring certain asylum seekers to repay the cost of state-funded accommodation and financial support once they enter the workforce, prompting criticism from refugee and human rights organizations.

Under draft legislation presented to Parliament, adult asylum seekers who secure employment and are deemed financially able would gradually repay up to £10,000 for housing and welfare assistance received while their asylum applications were being processed. The government said the repayment scheme would operate in a manner similar to the student loan system.

The Home Office said repayments would apply only to individuals with sufficient income, adding that the eligibility criteria and collection mechanism would be set out in further regulations.

The proposal has drawn strong criticism from advocacy groups. The Refugee Council warned that the policy would place an additional financial burden on refugees at the start of their new lives, while the Helen Bamber Foundation said the debt could hinder long-term integration into society. Freedom from Torture also expressed concern that survivors of torture and sexual violence would be disproportionately affected by the measure.

In the UK, asylum seekers are generally prohibited from working while their applications are under consideration. However, those whose claims remain unresolved for more than one year may apply for permission to work. During that period, the Home Office provides accommodation and basic financial support.

According to figures from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), the annual cost of housing and supporting a single asylum seeker averaged around £41,000 in the 2023–2024 period, while the government spent approximately £4 billion on the asylum support system last year.

The proposal follows broader asylum reforms introduced in March, under which refugee status will be reviewed every 30 months instead of allowing successful applicants to move directly toward permanent settlement after five years.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood defended the policy, saying the asylum system places a significant burden on taxpayers and arguing that those with the financial means should contribute toward the costs they incurred while receiving state support.

The government is also preparing to introduce new legal migration pathways inspired by the Canadian model, allowing universities and local communities to sponsor refugees, alongside a separate employer-sponsored resettlement scheme expected to launch next year.(ILKHA)