UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood orders urgent review of asylum seeker taxi use after BBC report revealed some costly journeys to appointments.
As reported by The Independent, Shabana Mahmood has launched an urgent review into the use and cost of taxis transporting asylum seekers between hotels and healthcare appointments.
Why did Shabana Mahmood launch a review into taxi costs for migrants?
The Home Secretary acted following a report showing one migrant traveled 250 miles to a GP appointment, with the journey costing £600.
In some cases, migrants are transported hundreds of miles by taxi when moved between hotels. It is currently unclear how much the Home Office spends annually on taxis transporting migrants to appointments and hotels.
BBC investigation into asylum seekers’ taxi costs
According to the BBC, a Freedom of Information request on taxi costs for asylum seekers revealed that the Home Office does not maintain such records.
The BBC investigation showed migrants cooking in unsafe hotel rooms, with electric hobs in showers and fire alarms blocked. It also revealed widespread illegal work, with migrants earning as little as £20 a day in the shadow economy to support families and pay smugglers.
The cost of taxis transporting asylum seekers is determined by contract at a per-mile, per-passenger rate instead of the meter.
Home Office’s views on asylum seeker taxi transfers
A Home Office spokesperson stated,
“The home secretary has asked the department to urgently look into the use of taxis to transfer asylum seekers.”
What did Matthew Pennycook say about long asylum seeker taxi trips?
During an interview, when asked about the findings from a BBC investigation into aslyum hotel conditions, Housing Minsinter Matthew Pennycook responded,
“The Home Office don’t have figures, I think, I don’t want to get into the specifics of that case, but it’s very, it’s very questionable why such a long distance was travelled in that instance.”
By 2029, Labour plans to scrap asylum hotels, a move Chancellor Rachel Reeves says could save the Treasury £1bn annually.
In another interview, Mr Pennycook could not confirm the target would be met, but stressed the party’s “determination” to achieve it.
The ex-head of the Home Office warned that fluctuations could undermine the target, citing potential “ups and downs” in the system.
What did Pat McFadden say about taxis for asylum seekers?
Referring to the asylum seekers’ taxis report, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said people will “quite rightly ask why is that necessary.”
He stated,
“I’m not surprised that that was a feature that caught people’s eye, and the Home Office are looking at that and I think they should look at it.”
Mr McFadden added,
“I think a lot of your listeners will quite rightly ask, why should people be taken around in taxis?”
How have asylum hotels sparked tensions and taxpayer anger?
The government’s policy of housing asylum seekers in hotels has become a “flashpoint for community tensions,” the Refugee Council has warned, saying the system is fuelling divisions.
Protesters have gathered outside hotels housing asylum seekers, while critics warn the system leaves migrants trapped in limbo.
The Conservatives accused Labour of “writing a blank cheque for illegal immigration.”
Key facts about the asylum seekers in the UK
In the year ending June 2025, a record 111,084 people claimed asylum in the UK, the highest since 2002. Asylum seekers arrived via different routes, with 39% coming by small boats and 37% initially entering on valid visas.
The top nationalities claiming asylum were Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. As of June 2025, 71,000 cases, relating to 91,000 people, were awaiting an initial decision.