Massive Petition to End Asylum Seeker Benefits Hits 380K—But Starmer ‘Ignores’ It

A petition calling for the UK Government to stop providing financial and practical support to asylum seekers has been sitting unanswered for more than two weeks, sparking frustration among its 380,000-plus backers. The petition, which was launched by Bob Clements, argues that offering shelter, food, healthcare and cash payments to those seeking asylum may be encouraging illegal migration, especially the dangerous Channel crossings.

Clements wrote in the petition: “This support currently includes shelter, food, medical care (including optical and dental), and cash support. I believe that such provisions may inadvertently incentivise illegal migration, particularly via the English Channel. This petition is to urge the Government to discontinue these support measures and payments”, reported the Express.

At the time of writing, the petition had gathered more than 383,000 signatures, smashing past the 100,000 required for Parliament to consider it for a debate. Despite that, the petition has reportedly been waiting 15 days for a date to be scheduled. And while petitions that reach over 10,000 signatures are entitled to a formal Government response, this one has been hanging in the air for 17 days without a word from ministers.

Meanwhile, the debate around migration has been heating up. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, speaking from the G7 summit in Canada, hinted at a tougher approach to countries that fail to co-operate on taking back failed asylum seekers. There are suggestions that visa agreements with certain nations could be tightened if they don’t play their part in managing migration.

“It’s a serious challenge that requires serious responses to it,” Starmer said, as he outlined plans for what he called a “smarter use of our visas.” The idea being explored is to link visa agreements with how well countries work with the UK on return policies and preventive strategies.

No 10 echoed this shift in tone, suggesting the UK is preparing for a firmer stance on international cooperation. “This is at an early stage, but the principle is clear: if a country won’t co-operate on returns or prevention, they shouldn’t expect visa privileges to carry on as normal,” a spokesperson said.

The message from Downing Street was blunt. “No one has a right to a UK visa, and this Government is making sure the rules are enforced.”

All this comes against a backdrop of rising Channel crossings. According to Home Office figures, 16,545 people have arrived in the UK in small boats so far in 2025. That’s a 45% jump compared to the same time last year and even higher than figures from 2022, which was previously the record year.

As pressure mounts both at home and abroad, the Government is facing a clear demand from hundreds of thousands of UK citizens for change. But the silence around the petition is raising eyebrows, especially when the rules suggest a response should have already been issued.

For now, campaigners and petitioners alike are left waiting – not just for answers, but for signs that their concerns are being taken seriously.

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