Jasn/Flickr. Creative Commons.The 2015 Immigration Bill, which is currently making its way through parliament, could have grave implications for asylum-seeking families if passed without amendment. One of the central proposals is to remove all means of welfare support from families refused asylum. Destitution will therefore be used as a means of immigration control in an attempt to “rebalance the support system so that it does not incentivise failed asylum seekers and other illegal migrants to remain in the UK where they have no lawful basis for doing so”. Only those who have a “genuine obstacle” preventing their return to countries of origin will be entitled to access benefits, although even they will receive welfare at a level much lower than that available to citizens.
Estimates suggest that the proposals will impact around 2,900 families and a further 4,900 persons whose family status is unknown. On paper, the policy will save the government an estimated £73 million per year, with savings to the taxpayer being used as the main justification for forcing destitution upon refused asylum-seeking families.
However, passage of the bill could both cost more and increase instances of exploitation and human rights violations, as it may transfer the costs of provision from the Home Office to local authorities on grounds of child protection. Local authorities have a statutory duty to provide accommodation for children ‘in need’. In practice, any child lacking accommodation falls within this category, meaning that destitute refused asylum-seeking children will be covered as well.
