'Woeful' budgeting behind asylum overspends - IFS

Published On Aug 28, 2024, 7:01 PM

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has reported significant overspending by the UK Home Office on asylum support, amounting to £7.9 billion over three years, well above the initially budgeted £320 million. This stems from increased asylum-seeker numbers and costs associated with accommodation and special visa schemes, particularly for Afghans and Ukrainians. The Home Office had reportedly submitted knowingly insufficient budget estimates and is facing anticipated further financial pressures, with a broader financial shortfall of £22 billion noted by the Labour Party attributed to the previous Conservative government's management. Critics argue that this pattern of overspending reflects a failing budgeting process within the Home Office.