UK Asylum Seekers’ Cost Revealed
Approximately 34,400 asylum seekers in the UK last year, who cited the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to remain, will collectively burden British taxpayers with a staggering bill of £4.9 billion (around US$6.4 billion) over their lifetimes, according to the Home Office.
This marks the first assessment from the Home Office, which estimates each immigrant will cost approximately £141,100 over their lifetime, taking into account their tax contributions.
Many of these migrants applied for asylum under Article 8 of the ECHR, which protects the right to a “private and family life.” This figure encompasses taxpayer expenses related to education, welfare, and pensions for these individuals. However, some researchers consider this figure to be an “underestimate,” as it does not account for the number of families involved.
Home Office researchers emphasized that the reported figure excludes the financial effects on dependents linked to this group, suggesting that the total impact could be much higher.
The ECHR has repeatedly been cited as a significant barrier to deporting illegal immigrants in the UK. However, the UK’s attempts to exit the treaty and regain control over its borders face opposition from the Council of Europe, which warned that leaving could align the UK with countries like Russia and Belarus.
In response to the concerning figures, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage shared a video on social media, declaring that Britain risks financial instability due to illegal immigration.
“The Home Office has quietly released figures that are likely unwelcome. They show that last year alone, over 34,000 individuals were granted asylum under Article 8 ECHR. The expected lifetime cost to UK taxpayers stands at £5 billion. It’s astonishing,” Farage remarked, stressing the magnitude of the situation.
He urged that reviewing costs over the past several years reveals alarming trends, suggesting that allowing boats to cross the Channel is detrimental to the UK’s financial health.
As previously reported, the ECHR has also allowed some individuals with serious criminal backgrounds to evade deportation, complicating the country’s immigration efforts. The current government has so far dismissed proposals to exit the ECHR, believing that remaining within the treaty offers more opportunities for reform.
