A Project Supporting Migrants Was Cost Effective. Why Did It End?

The UK government’s hard-line approach to immigration, including plans to deport asylum-seekers, is raising questions about the costs and effectiveness of its policies. A pilot project in Bedford, funded by the government and the UN refugee agency, helped migrants resolve their immigration status in the community, resulting in six people being granted permission to remain in the country. An independent assessment found that providing support in the community was two-thirds cheaper than detention and contributed to participants’ mental health and well-being.