Hundreds of citizens from European Union countries and the United States are being housed in taxpayer-funded asylum accommodation in Britain, according to Home Office figures obtained by the Conservatives. The data shows that 225 asylum seekers from countries including France, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Italy and the US were living in such accommodation at the end of March, with some staying in hotels.
Additional Support for Other Wealthy Nations
A further 20 applicants from countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and Japan were also receiving accommodation support. Asylum seekers housed in self-catering accommodation are entitled to £49.19 per week, while those staying in full-board hotels receive £9.95 a week.
Conservative Criticism
The figures were obtained by shadow minister for policy renewal and development Neil O’Brien, who questioned why nationals from wealthy democratic countries were entering the UK asylum system. According to The Sun, Mr O’Brien argued that asylum claims from citizens of countries such as Sweden and New Zealand were difficult to justify. "There is no way you can credibly claim that the government of New Zealand or Sweden is a threat to your life," he said. "Many people would be surprised we even entertain asylum claims from nationals of these countries, never mind give them taxpayer-funded asylum accommodation." He added that these individuals are "basically economic migrants shopping around," likely originally from third countries but who have already obtained nationality in very rich and safe countries and now want to come to the UK.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp also criticised the arrangements, saying public money should not be spent accommodating applicants from countries he described as safe. "This is a disgraceful waste of taxpayers' money. The EU and USA are manifestly safe. We should be immediately dismissing asylum claims from anyone coming from places like that and not spending a single penny of taxpayers' money on accommodating them," he said.
Home Office Response
The Home Office said claims from these countries are rarely successful, with most being either rejected or withdrawn. Officials noted that only three per cent of asylum applications from such countries were granted last year. Some applicants base their claims on allegations of racial or religious discrimination. Current legislation requires the Home Office to provide accommodation to asylum seekers who are deemed destitute, although proposals are being considered that could make such support discretionary.
A Home Office spokesman said: "Most asylum claims from these countries are rejected or withdrawn with just three per cent of applications granted asylum in the last year. Asylum claims are assessed on individual merit and those found not to need protection will be refused. The Government has already reduced the number of asylum seekers in asylum hotels by 35 per cent in the past year. Overall asylum support costs are down by 15 per cent in the last financial year – helping reduce asylum support costs by nearly £1billion."
Separate figures show there were 93,500 asylum claims lodged in Britain in the year to March. Although lower than the record 106,000 recorded in the previous 12 months, the total remains more than double pre-pandemic levels.
