From February 2026, asylum seekers will no longer be allowed to use taxis or minicabs for medical appointments. According to BBC News, the policy change follows a BBC investigation that found some asylum seekers had been taken on extremely long taxi journeys — including one case involving a 250-mile trip to a GP. The government also confirmed it has been spending around £15.8 million per year on transport for asylum seekers.
DM News Commentary
This change will likely impact private hire operators across the UK, particularly those who provide contracted journeys for asylum accommodation centres. For many drivers, these jobs have been a consistent source of work — especially in areas where asylum seekers are housed far from essential services.
There’s also a wider transport question: if taxis are removed from the equation, asylum seekers will be expected to rely on public buses, even in areas with limited or irregular services. It raises concerns about accessibility, travel times, and the practicality of reaching GP surgeries or hospitals on time.
For the taxi and PHV sector, it’s another reminder of how quickly government policy can reshape demand. Operators who relied heavily on this type of transport work may need to adjust, while NHS services could face increased pressure if alternative travel support proves inadequate.
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