The government has launched an investigation following a BBC report that some migrants are being advised to make false claims about their sexual orientation or domestic abuse status in order to remain in the UK.
Downing Street said there were “robust safeguards” in place to ensure claims are “rigorously and fairly assessed”.
The prime minister’s spokesman added that the Home Office and the Immigration Advice Authority were working together to ensure “anyone potentially abusing our immigration system is held accountable”.
Opposition parties have called for sweeping reforms to the asylum system to prevent fraudulent claims.
The BBC investigation revealed that migrants whose visas are nearing expiry are allegedly being coached with fabricated cover stories and guided on how to obtain false supporting evidence, including letters,
photographs and medical reports. In some cases, law firms and advisers are said to be charging thousands of pounds to help migrants claim they are gay and at risk if returned to countries such as Pakistan or Bangladesh, enabling them to apply for asylum.
The report also found that some individuals are exploiting provisions designed to protect genuine victims of domestic abuse, which allow faster access to permanent residency. In certain instances, migrants were said to have entered relationships or marriages with British partners before making false abuse claims after arriving in the UK.
According to the findings, the number of people seeking fast-track residency on the basis of domestic abuse has risen to over 5,500 annually—an increase of more than 50% in three years.
Responding to the allegations, the prime minister’s spokesman said: “Both the Home Office and Immigration Advice Authority are investigating the claims made by the BBC, both yesterday and today, to ensure anyone potentially abusing our immigration system is held accountable.
“Any attempt to misuse protections designed to protect genuine victims from the devastation of domestic abuse is shameful and completely unacceptable.
“The home secretary has been clear that those trying to defraud the British people to remain in the UK will have their application refused and find themselves on a one way flight out of Britain.
“Where unethical and illegal practices are identified and evidence exists, legal practitioners will be referred to the police through the relevant regulatory body.”
No timeline has been provided for the investigation.
Asked whether the prime minister was confident in the current system, the spokesman said: “The asylum system is built on robust safeguards, so every claim is rigorously and fairly assessed, abuse is actively uncovered, and these procedures are continually reviewed to shut down misuse.”
Gaon Hart, who oversees the regulation of immigration advisers, described the issue as “abhorrent abuse of the system”, warning that a minority of advisers were tarnishing the sector’s reputation.
“Wherever there is potential for greed, there is and will be abuse and we will be addressing it,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
Hart noted a rise in enforcement actions over the past year following complaints about unregulated advice and system manipulation. He added that the Home Office had referred several cases for investigation and increased funding to support prosecutions, while also calling for “greater clarity and simplicity in the system” and urging the public to report suspected malpractice.
Since returning to power in 2024, Labour Party has prioritised tackling illegal immigration and reforming the asylum system, though it faces the challenge of tightening rules while protecting vulnerable applicants.
Chris Philp, the Conservative shadow home secretary, said the system “must be totally overhauled” to ensure only those facing genuine persecution are granted asylum.
Meanwhile, Will Forster of the Liberal Democrats described the findings as “abhorrent”, adding: “We need an asylum system that is fair, controlled and efficient. Not the shambles the Conservatives left us with.”
Reform UK said it would, if elected, make facilitating a false asylum claim a “strict liability” criminal offence, carrying penalties of up to two years in prison.
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