US Edition
Home Office launches probe into use of asylum seeker payment cards for gambling
UNITED KINGDOM, JUL 23 – More than 6,500 attempts to use ASPEN cards for gambling were recorded last year, prompting the Home Office to review compliance measures for asylum seeker support funds.
- More than 6,500 transactions reveal asylum seekers in the UK used ASPEN cards for gambling, according to a Freedom of Information request, with weekly attempts ongoing.
- These chip-and-pin ASPEN cards are issued by the Home Office to asylum seekers on arrival, intended for essentials like food and toiletries.
- In one week, 227 asylum seekers gambled in November, while only 40 did so in July, according to Home Office data.
- Meanwhile, the department says, `The Home Office have begun an investigation into the use of Aspen cards`, and is working with compliance teams to decide next action.
- Future measures aim to prevent further misuse, as Jonathan Reynolds, Business Secretary, said: `You shouldn’t be able to use Aspen cards for this`, by blocking physical gambling on these cards.
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Total News Sources14
Leaning Left2Leaning Right6Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Right
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources lean Right
46% Right
15%
C 38%
R 46%
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