"The Home Office says the changes, due to take effect in June, will restrict accommodation and support payments to "those who genuinely need it". Ministers say the new rules will also remove assistance from asylum seekers who work illegally or break the law."
"On Thursday, the Home Office will publish a law to remove the current legal duty to guarantee support to those awaiting an asylum decision at risk of destitution. Instead, the department plans to reserve support "only for those who need it", although it is yet to set out in detail how this will be decided."
"The Refugee Council, a charity, has warned that the plans could lead to an uptick in rough sleeping, shifting costs to local councils and the NHS. Imran Hussain, its director of external affairs, said speeding up slow decision-making was a "far more effective" way to reduce costs."
The Home Office will unveil plans to restrict taxpayer support for asylum seekers, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood arguing the changes are necessary to restore trust in the asylum system. The new rules, effective in June, will remove the current legal duty to provide support to all asylum seekers at risk of destitution. Instead, assistance will be reserved only for those deemed to genuinely need it. Asylum seekers with assets may be required to contribute to accommodation costs, following Denmark's approach. Those with employment rights or who entered on work visas could lose assistance. The Refugee Council warns these plans may increase rough sleeping and shift costs to local councils and the NHS, suggesting faster decision-making would be more effective.
Read at www.bbc.com
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