Breaking News: UK Government to Ban Taxi Use for Asylum Seekers’ Medical Appointments

From February next year, asylum seekers in the United Kingdom will no longer be allowed to use taxis for routine medical journeys, except in exceptional circumstances such as physical disability, pregnancy, or serious illness.

The UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has announced a sweeping change to transport arrangements for asylum seekers, declaring an end to the “unrestricted use” of taxis for hospital and GP appointments.

Under the new rules, taxi journeys will only be authorised in rare, evidence-based cases and will require Home Office approval. The government says the move is aimed at cutting costs after a BBC investigation revealed widespread use of taxis, including one case where an asylum seeker was driven 250 miles to see a GP, costing the Home Office around £600.

Figures show that transport for asylum seekers has cost the government an average of £15.8–16 million per year. Taxi drivers have also raised concerns about “abuse” of the system, with reports of subcontractors inflating mileage by dispatching drivers from airports to cover short journeys.

Mahmood said the government had inherited “wasteful Conservative contracts” and pledged to root out inefficiency while closing asylum hotels. She emphasised that asylum in the UK is “a privilege, not a right,” and that the reforms are part of a wider plan to restore order to the immigration system.

Critics, including Labour backbench MPs, have described the policy as “dystopian” and “shameful,” warning that it could leave vulnerable asylum seekers stranded without access to healthcare. Supporters argue the measure is necessary to reduce the taxpayer burden and prevent misuse of public funds.

The Home Office is now working with service providers to introduce alternative transport options, such as buses and trains, though concerns remain about rural areas where public transport is limited.

This ban will officially take effect from February 2026, marking a significant shift in asylum policy and sparking debate over the balance between fiscal responsibility and humanitarian care.