In recent years, the NHS has granted thousands of free passes to asylum seekers, reaching nearly one million over the past five years. These passes, issued through Home Secretary Chris Philp’s Home Agency and under the headings HC2 (Health Care Credit 2), are designed to support individuals who are vulnerable to排队 和 .asm escape偏差，享受基本的医疗服务。据统计，59%的HC2申请来自2019至2024年的年度总量，尽管 asylum seekers本身只占据了整个英国人口的不到1%。这一现象引发了广泛的关注和担忧。
The majority of these free passes, 59%, were provided by the NHS under the previous administration, despite Support for People withDMA (Section 95) programs, which have been designed to create stability and financial resilience for these individuals. Yet, the sheer scale of the situation remains concerning, as asylum seekers who qualify for Section 95 are automatically granted a free pass if they receive the required support. For those who do not meet the criteria for this benefit, they can still apply for free healthcare assistance.
Access to healthcare for asylum seekers was increasingly perceived as a means of bypassing laws and policies. Conference withHM Chris Philp further articulated the growing saturation of the healthcare system, stating that the majority of HC2 passes were distributed to people from outside the EU while still in the UK. These individuals worked or ran businesses and had little income, which is placed on them by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Highlighted by the detailed examples of immediate applications for prescriptions, dental care, eye exams, wigs, and appointment seats, the healthcare system has been reacting to asylum seekers as a potential platform for access to these services. Access to bothPrescription drugs and premium dental care packages is onerous, with dental work potentially costing up to £233 per session. The aim is to facilitate基本 and flexible access to these services, ensuring that the cost to patients remains affordable.
But with the release of a Freedom of Information request through the NHS Business Services Authority, it became clear that nearly 25,000 migrants had already crossed the channel in just one year. Labour’s claim to target asylum seekers for strict enforcement was a significant blow, as even those receiving support under Section 95 were being selectively excluded. This figure reflects the increasing alienation of asylum seekers from a broader societal context, as they are being amplified rather than targeted.
Under the previous administration, most of the healthcare provides was under the old NHS framework, which was сообщает that the|. The figures, though relevant, highlight aOE should move beyond labeling these efforts as enforcement. Insisted by the Home Secretary, this highlights the reality of a deeper issue involving the will of asylum seekers and their fundamental needs. The lack of systemic response to asylum seeking reflects broader concerns about the lack of support for rights- Bear in mind concerns within Costs, access) and equality.
