URGENT: Government Launches Emergency Probe into Asylum Seeker Taxi Bill Scandal

BREAKING NEWS Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has ordered an urgent review into the use and cost of taxis to transfer asylum seekers from their hotels to appointments, following a BBC investigation that revealed some migrants are being charged hundreds of pounds for long journeys. The review comes after a migrant told the BBC he took a 250-mile journey to visit a GP, with the driver telling him the cost to the Home Office was £600. The government has confirmed that asylum seekers are issued with a bus pass for one return journey per week, but taxis are called for any other necessary travel. The use of automated taxi booking systems in hotels means public transport or walking is not presented as an option, resulting in some unusually long journeys and high costs. The Home Office has refused to release figures on the cost of taxi travel for asylum seekers, citing that it does not keep these records. This development follows a Freedom of Information Act request by the BBC. The review will aim to assess the current system and identify areas for improvement. It is unclear what changes may be implemented as a result of the investigation. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Bbc.*