The UK government has launched a pilot scheme offering up to £40,000 to migrant families who agree to leave the country voluntarily. The scheme, announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, targets failed asylum seekers and aims to reduce the £4 billion annual asylum support bill.
Under the proposal, up to 150 migrants will receive £10,000 per person, including children, with a maximum payment of £40,000 per family if they leave within seven days. Mahmood argued the policy could save taxpayers money, citing the £158,000 annual cost of accommodating a family of three in asylum hotel accommodation.
The move is part of a broader migration crackdown by the Keir Starmer government, aiming to balance compassion with stricter border control. Migrants who refuse voluntary removal face enforced deportation.
The policy has sparked debate within Labour, with over 100 MPs signing a letter urging reconsideration. Mahmood defended the reforms, saying they’re not about being “more Green” or “more Reform,” but about being “more Labour.”
The new rules also include stricter settlement requirements, including demonstrating English language proficiency at A-level standard and increasing the typical pathway to settlement from five to ten years. Refugees will be placed on temporary 30-month protection visas, subject to review.
The measures are expected to be introduced through legislation in the King’s Speech in May.
