TAXPAYERS are stumping up millions of pounds a year for taxis to take asylum seekers hundreds of miles to see doctors.
The Home Office coughed up nearly £350,000-a-month for 6,000 journeys at one firm.
Asylum seekers are being chauffeured in taxis to see UK doctors – costing taxpayers millions[/caption]
Migrants who are moved hotels may keep the same doctors, especially for GP referrals[/caption]
Ministers were last night under pressure to reveal the scheme’s full cost.
Critics called it a “slap in the face” for pensioners struggling to get any care through the creaking NHS.
Migrants who are moved hotels may keep the same doctors, especially for GP referrals.
They are eligible to be transported by taxi or mini-cab to each appointment.
Afghan Kadir told a BBC probe he was driven 250 miles, a £600 return fare, for a knee check-up.
The married dad of three said: “Should the Home Office give me the ticket for the train? This is the easy way, and they know they spend too much money. We know as well but we don’t have any choice (to use the train). It’s crazy.”
Firms that provide accommodation under Home Office deals also arrange most of the taxis.
Clearsprings Ready Homes has hired PTS-247 for migrant transport in the South and Wales.
I have patients with schizophrenia who have waited two years for a diagnosis — £600 would have covered that session
NHS psychiatrist Valerie Lucas
Legal documents show PTS-247 rakes in £344,000-a-month and charges any journey above 175 miles at £1.85 a mile.
PTS-247 is suing Clearsprings over £2.75million in unpaid invoices.
But Clearsprings says PTS-247 “has consistently failed to provide evidence of journeys it has taken”.
Meanwhile, an ex-Serco manager who supervised five asylum hotels in the North West until last year, said migrants used its taxi service almost daily and billed the Government tens of thousands.
Some invented appointments for lifts to town or nights out, he said.
NHS psychiatrist Valerie Lucas, 61, told The Sun: “This is staggering incompetence.
“I have patients with schizophrenia who have waited two years for a diagnosis — £600 would have covered that session.
“I know patients who have died waiting. It shines a light on the system on its knees.”
Reform UK’s Dr David Bull told The Sun: “If you live here and pay taxes it’s difficult to see a GP in the first instance. But asylum seekers seem to have fast-track access.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp added: “Labour are writing a blank cheque for illegal immigration.”
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said: “These are not ordinary citizens just jumping on a bus. These are asylum seekers having claims processed. That’s why they’re in hotels in the first place.
“It’s very questionable why such a long distance was travelled.”
The Home Office said it did not have figures for how often taxis were used, or the total cost.
A spokesman said the Government expected all providers to uphold the highest standards.
The Home Office handed one firm nearly £350,000-a-month for 6,000 journeys[/caption]
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said: ‘These are not ordinary citizens just jumping on a bus. These are asylum seekers having claims processed’[/caption]
