General · 5 February 2026
UK stops asylum seekers using taxis for medical trips.
The UK Home Office enforces a strict ban on asylum seekers utilizing taxis for medical appointments, aiming to curb the £15.8 million annual taxpayer cost. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced the policy shift after investigations revealed excessive spending, including a single £600 GP trip spanning 250 miles. While exemptions remain for pregnancy and disabilities, officials vow to eliminate incentives for illegal migration. One driver previously reported earning £1,000 daily for short two-mile journeys.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs