The UK Home Office has introduced new restrictions on the spending of asylum seekers by blocking a wide range of goods and services from purchase with Aspen pre-paid cards. The updated policy, effective from 11 August 2025, prohibits the use of the cards for items ranging from luxury goods such as armoured cars, furs, and boat rentals, to everyday basics including toys, audiobooks, photocopying, and even haircuts.
Asylum seekers currently receive limited financial support—£9.95 per week if living in hotels with meals provided, or £49.18 for those in self-catering accommodation. Many say the allowance barely covers essential needs, let alone any luxury items. According to the charity Care4Calais, people seeking asylum are living in acute poverty, with some forced to walk in T-shirts and flip-flops during freezing conditions because they cannot afford proper clothing.
Restrictions Spark Criticism
Steve Smith, CEO of Care4Calais, condemned the move, saying it shows how out of touch politicians are with the realities faced by asylum seekers:
“People are not buying luxury items—they are struggling to afford deodorant, socks, and baby clothes. This policy only makes life more miserable for people seeking sanctuary.”
The blocked purchases are determined through Merchant Category Codes (MCCs), used across Visa and Mastercard. However, charities argue that blocking entire categories has left asylum seekers unable to pay for essentials like library fines, children’s food, or school supplies.
Home Office Stance
A Home Office spokesperson said the clampdown was part of a review into misuse of Aspen cards and insisted the restrictions were aimed at ensuring public funds are used strictly for “essential living needs.” Officials acknowledged that some necessary services may have been unintentionally restricted and confirmed an investigation is underway to refine the system.
Life on the Margins
Charities supporting asylum seekers, such as Care4Calais, continue to provide basic items including nappies, underwear, shoes, and school uniforms to families. The organisation stressed that rather than curbing misuse, the new policy risks pushing people further into poverty and depriving children of essentials.
The Aspen card restrictions highlight the wider debate over asylum support in the UK, where thousands of vulnerable people depend on limited state assistance to survive while waiting for their claims to be processed.
