A report supported by former justice secretary Brandon Lewis highlights the potential benefits of Britons opening their homes to asylum-seekers to reduce the significant cost of housing them in hotels.
The report, conducted by the Policy Exchange think tank, reveals that the annual expenditure on supporting asylum-seekers in the UK amounts to £3.5 billion, with hotel accommodation alone costing £2.2 billion.
The report recommends the adoption of a Ukrainian refugees-style sponsorship scheme for asylum-seekers from various nationalities, including individuals from Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq. This scheme aims to spread the burden of supporting refugees more evenly across the community.
Furthermore, the report proposes utilising volunteers to assist with English language tuition, alleviating the strain on the government budget for such teaching and promoting the integration of asylum-seekers into UK society.
It emphasised that the current asylum system is not only financially burdensome but also excessively reliant on state intervention.
In the report Mr Lewis said: “We must do more to galvanise community efforts, such as by expanding the sponsorship model for Ukrainian refugees to other nationalities – so that the burden of supporting refugees is spread evenly, rather than falling on the poorest.”
The Policy Exchange report highlights the urgency of deterring small boat crossings, as they contribute significantly to the associated costs “As an urgent priority, the Government must stay the course on its plans to stop the small boats, as the overall volume of those crossing the Channel is the single largest driver of costs,” said the Policy Exchange report.
Once this challenge is effectively addressed, the report suggests establishing a safe and legal route, under parliamentary control, to prioritise individuals genuinely in need, particularly women and children in conflict zones.
The report also backed government plans to impose an annual cap on the number of asylum-seekers entering through safe and legal routes, with the specific level to be determined by Parliament. This approach ensures a focused allocation of resources while prioritising vulnerable groups.
