URGENT: Government Launches Emergency Probe into Asylum Seeker Taxi Scandal

BREAKING NEWS Home Secretary Orders Urgent Review into Asylum Seeker Taxi Costs Amid Scandal The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has launched an emergency probe into the use and cost of taxis to transport asylum seekers from their hotels to appointments. The review follows a BBC investigation that exposed long-distance journeys costing hundreds of pounds. As revealed by the BBC, some asylum seekers have been forced to travel excessive distances on taxi rides, with one migrant taking a 250-mile journey to visit a GP at a cost of £600 to the Home Office. The driver allegedly told the asylum seeker that this was the amount charged by the government. The use of taxis for appointments is a result of asylum seekers being issued with bus passes only for one return journey per week, leaving them reliant on taxis for other necessary travel. The BBC has reported that public transport or walking options are not presented to asylum seekers when booking taxi rides through an automated system at their hotel reception desk. The review will aim to address the concerns raised by the BBC investigation and provide clarity on the costs involved in transporting asylum seekers using taxis. This is a developing story, with further updates expected as more information becomes available. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates as more information comes in. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Bbc.*