Investigation into claims asylum seeker fee playing cards used for playing
The Residence Workplace has launched an investigation into claims some asylum seekers could also be utilizing fee playing cards meant for purchasing necessities equivalent to meals for playing.
A Freedom of Info request made by PoliticsHome revealed greater than 6,500 funds in playing settings have been tried by asylum seekers up to now yr.
The funds have been made on Aspen playing cards, given by the Residence Workplace to asylum seekers awaiting a choice to permit them to purchase primary gadgets, with small weekly top-ups.
A Residence Workplace spokesperson stated they have been trying on the transactions and if any playing cards had been misused, pressing motion can be taken.
When asylum seekers first arrive they’re often first put up in absolutely catered inns – and given £9.95 every week on their Aspen card, rising to £49.18 every week after they’re moved to self-catered lodging.
Nonetheless, quite than shopping for requirements, some asylum seekers have efficiently used the chip and pin Aspen playing cards to gamble at bodily websites equivalent to casinos, slot machine arcades and nationwide lottery retailers.
Makes an attempt to gamble on-line utilizing the playing cards have been made, however have been blocked every time, and in some instances, money withdrawals have been made in or close to playing websites, situated utilizing the terminal’s ID quantity.
The FoI confirmed a peak of 227 makes an attempt to make use of the playing cards for playing in a single week final November and the bottom variety of makes an attempt was 40 in every week final July.
Conservative shadow residence secretary Chris Philp stated it was flawed for asylum seekers to be playing utilizing taxpayers’ money, including: “This insanity has to finish.”
There are presently round 80,000 Aspen card customers within the UK and there are strict controls and limits on their use.
The BBC understands motion will now be taken to make sure bodily playing will not be doable in future.
A Residence Workplace spokesperson stated: “The Residence Workplace have begun an investigation into using Aspen playing cards.
“The Residence Workplace has a authorized obligation to help asylum seekers, together with any dependants, who would in any other case be destitute.”
In accordance with newest annual figures, total profit fraud within the UK value £7.4bn final yr, round 2.8% of complete welfare spending.
