UK to ban asylum seekers from using taxis for medical appointments

 The UK government has announced that refugees and asylum seekers will no longer be allowed to use taxis (or minicabs) for medical appointments, starting from February 2026. 

Under the new policy, taxi use for medical travel will now be restricted to only “exceptional, evidence-based” cases — for example when the person has a serious illness, is pregnant, or has a physical disability. In such cases, the journey must be approved in advance by the Home Office. 

The move comes after a recent investigation revealed that the government was spending about £15.8 million a year on taxi transport for asylum seekers — including costly and often unnecessary long-distance taxi rides. 

Officials say the change aims to save taxpayer money by requiring asylum seekers to use public transportation (buses, trains) for most medical trips. 

Critics — including refugee support groups — warn that the policy could leave vulnerable people unable to reach essential medical care, especially in areas where public transport is limited or irregular.

📺 Watch the full report on BBC News: ▶️