Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced an urgent review ordered into taxpayer-funded taxi journeys for asylum seekers. The probe uncovered extremely costly and often unnecessary travel. For example, one asylum seeker took a 250-mile round trip to see a doctor. Consequently, the Home Office reportedly paid £600 for that single journey.
Currently, asylum seekers receive a weekly bus pass for essential travel. However, they must use taxis for other necessary appointments like GP visits. The booking process is automated through their accommodation reception. Importantly, public transport or walking is never offered as an alternative. This system sometimes results in absurdly short trips. Furthermore, it creates long journeys when individuals keep their original doctor after moving hotels.
The government faces sharp criticism over these expenses. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp called the costs a “rigged system.” He argued this money should fund services for British families. Similarly, Reform UK’s Lee Anderson labeled it another example of misplaced spending priorities. The Liberal Democrats also condemned the “ridiculous waste of taxpayer money.”
However, Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy highlighted a broader problem. She pointed to profiteering and poor conditions within the asylum system. The urgent review ordered by the Home Secretary must therefore consider these wider issues. Reports included covered smoke alarms due to illegal cooking. Additionally, a 12-year-old girl was found living in a hotel after spending most of her life in the system.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden supported the investigation. He agreed the taxi system needed scrutiny. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook also questioned the necessity of long journeys. He noted asylum seekers are not “ordinary citizens just jumping on a bus.” Surprisingly, the Home Office does not even track total spending on these taxis. A Freedom of Information request revealed this lack of basic data.
The government insists it will end the use of hotels for asylum seekers. Nevertheless, the urgent review ordered this week shows immediate pressure to fix a broken process. This review will now examine both the financial cost and the practical logic of the current travel system. The goal is undoubtedly to find a more efficient and cost-effective solution for everyone involved.
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