Taxpayers' cash still used to pay for taxis migrants take to doctors despite Labour promising 'urgent review'

WATCH: Shabana Mahmood unveils plan to tackle migration |

POOL

Isabelle Parkin

By Isabelle Parkin


Published: 26/11/2025

- 12:35

The Home Office admitted the review has not concluded

Migrants are still able to travel in taxpayer-funded taxis to the doctors despite Labour pledging an urgent review months ago.

Shabana Mahmood was asked to look into the issue back in September. However, the Home Office has admitted the review has not concluded.


The Home Secretary launched an investigation after the BBC revealed an asylum seeker had been driven 250 miles to visit a GP, costing £600.

The broadcaster asked the Government how much it spends on taxi travel for asylum seekers through a Freedom of Information request, but the Home Office claimed it not obtain those figures.

It is understood the rate for taxi services are set in a contract and calculated on a per-person, per-mile rate, rather than using a taxi meter.

At the end of September, Sir Keir Starmer said he would put an end to taxpayer-funded taxis for asylum seekers travelling to medical appointments "as soon as we can".

The Prime Minister told BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: "It shouldn’t be happening. It’s not fair."

Pressed on whether this would be ended immediately, he added: "As soon as we can, but we will stop it."

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood

Shabana Mahmood launched an urgent review into the use of taxis by asylum seekers in September

|
PA

However, the Home Office has confirmed the findings of the review are yet to come.

It said scrapping the use of taxis was as a "complex process".

"An urgent review into the use of taxis for asylum seekers will conclude shortly," a spokesman said.

"This is a complex process given the number of contracts inherited from the previous government that need exiting.

"We will ensure value for money for the taxpayer."

Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Philp, branded the expenditure a "disgrace".

"Clearly the new Home Secretary has not got a grip after all," he told The Sun.

Last week, Ms Mahmood announced a shake-up of rules for legal migration and outlined reforms to the asylum system, which drew criticism from Labour colleagues.

Chris Philp

Chris Philp branded the use of taxpayer-funded taxis by asylum seekers a 'disgrace'

|

PA

Under the proposed changes, conditions will be set for migrants to apply for settled status after 10 years and they could be fast-tracked or forced to wait longer depending on their “contributions” to the UK.

The plan for “earned” settlement and a doubling of the wait time before being eligible for long-term status was first announced under the Government’s immigration white paper in May and is aimed at reducing the number of people coming to the UK.

Ms Mahmood also said she is considering "a big increase" in payments for migrants to return voluntarily to their home countries, insisting that the policy represented "value for money".

More From GB News