ALMOST one million NHS “free passes” have been handed to asylum seekers in five years, stats reveal.
Some 920,199 HC2 certificates — granting free prescriptions, dental care, eye tests, wigs and travel to appointments — were issued.
That is 59 per cent of all HC2 forms dished out from 2019 to 2024, despite asylum seekers making up less than one per cent of the population.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “No wonder illegal immigrants from across Europe are flocking here.”
The certificates include up to £233 for specs and unlimited dental work.
Anyone can apply if they have little or no income.
Asylum seekers automatically receive one if they qualify for Section 95 support, which covers housing and financial help.
An NHS spokesman said: “The NHS is legally required to provide healthcare services to asylum seekers, including access to help with health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme.”
A Government spokesman said most were issued “under the previous administration”.
The figures were uncovered via a Freedom of Information request to the NHS Business Services Authority.
Almost one million NHS ‘free passes’ handed out to asylum seekers over the past five yearsPA Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
