Labour to ban asylum seekers from using taxis to get to GP appointments

Asylum seekers will be banned from using taxis for medical appointments from February. The Labour government has confirmed the move after a review found it spends an average of £15.8 million every year on transport for asylum seekers.

An investigation previously revealed that one asylum seeker cost the Home Office £600 after travelling 250 miles to a GP. Meanwhile, a contracted taxi firm reported doing up to 15 drop-offs from a hotel in south east London to a surgery around two miles away every day, costing around £1,000.

However, as reported by the BBC, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has confirmed that asylum seekers would no longer get free travel to their doctor’s surgery. She added that her government had inherited expensive contracts from the Conservatives.

The decision follows a recent BBC investigation that found “widespread” use of taxis by asylum seekers

She explained: “I am ending the unrestricted use of taxis by asylum seekers for hospital appointments, authorising them only in the most exceptional circumstances. I will continue to root out waste as we close every single asylum hotel.”

The Government instead wants asylum seekers to use alternative means of transport, including buses and trains. However, those with disabilities, illnesses or pregnancy-related needs will be exempt from the move.

Ministers are also reviewing the wider use of taxis for asylum seekers, such as when travelling between accommodation. They are hoping to extend the ban on expensive taxis across the board.

Chris Philp, the Shadow Home Secretary, has accused Labour of failing to control the illegal immigration crisis. He said the cost will continue to rise until all illegal immigrants are deported from the UK.

He explained: “The issue is that Labour can’t get a grip on the illegal immigration crisis.

“As Labour hammer working people with £26 billion in tax rises, they have allowed costs for illegal arrivals to spiral because Labour don’t have the backbone to take the tough decisions needed. Namely, deporting all illegal arrivals and leaving the ECHR. Until that happens, the bills will keep mounting.”