UK Introduces New Policy Charging Asylum Seekers Up to £10,000 for Accommodation Costs

The United Kingdom is advancing a new immigration policy requiring asylum seekers granted protection to repay up to £10,000 for temporary housing and support costs incurred during their asylum process. Home Secretary Suella Braverman presented the measure on June 30, 2026, amid widespread criticism of government spending on migrants. The policy aims to recoup part of the expenses borne by British taxpayers for asylum accommodation.

Under the plan, asylum seekers will not be granted permanent residency status until they settle this debt. Repayments will be collected monthly through tax authorities, the Department for Work and Pensions, or directly via the Home Office, similar to student loan repayments. The charge applies regardless of the type of accommodation provided, including hotels, shared housing, or converted former military bases.

Braverman emphasized that while the UK has already reduced asylum system costs by £1 billion, those able to contribute should do so, stating, "Receiving support is a right but also a responsibility." Asylum seekers can work once their application is approved or after one year if no decision is made. Those whose claims are rejected and who are removed from the UK will be barred from returning unless they repay the debt.

Data from Oxford University’s migration department indicates that housing an asylum seeker in a hotel for a year costs over £50,000, compared to about £12,000 for cheaper shared accommodations. The Home Office reported that in the previous year, supporting approximately 107,000 asylum seekers cost around £4 billion, with average nightly accommodation costs of £144 in hotels and £23.25 in alternative housing.

The policy draws partly on Denmark’s immigration model, where authorities can confiscate cash or valuables exceeding a certain value to cover asylum costs. The UK government also plans to introduce legislation allowing the seizure of assets such as cars or cash from asylum seekers to offset accommodation expenses. This bill, to be presented to Parliament on Tuesday, includes further measures to tighten immigration rules, limit appeals based on human rights laws, and expedite deportations of illegal migrants.

Additionally, the Home Office announced plans to expand the use of five former military sites as asylum accommodations, housing up to 5,500 people. Analysis shows that asylum seekers who used the European Convention on Human Rights to remain in the UK last year could cost taxpayers an estimated £4.9 billion over their lifetimes, including health, education, welfare, and pension services.