Context
The previous government lost control over borders, resulting in high costs for asylum seekers. The National Audit Office reports a projected £15.3 billion will be spent on asylum accommodation over 10 years.
Question
What steps are being taken to reduce the cost to the public purse of migrants who have crossed the channel illegally? According to a recent report, £15.3 billion will be spent on asylum accommodation alone over the next decade, some of whom may commit violent crimes against British people. What do we say to residents, voters and taxpayers?
Answer from The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Shabana Mahmood)
The previous Government lost control of our borders, resulting in a costly asylum system that used more than 400 hotels at nearly £9 million per day. The current government has reduced this to fewer than 200 hotels and signed an agreement with France preventing small boat departures, detaining arrivals, and returning those without the right to be in the UK. A statement will shortly be made outlining further reforms to reduce costs.
Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not address the National Audit Office's projection or directly respond to concerns about public spending on potentially harmful individuals.
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