Red Cross uses disaster fund for asylum seekers' clothing

The British Red Cross has used £220,000 from its disaster fund to provide clothing for 12,000 asylum seekers in the UK. This decision follows reports of scabies outbreaks among individuals who had inadequate clothing after being moved from overcrowded processing centers. The charity's intervention highlights the growing demand for asylum accommodation, with spending rising from £739 million in 2019-20 to £4.7 billion in 2023-24. Many asylum seekers have been placed in hotels, often without sufficient funds for basic necessities. Concerns have been raised about the conditions in asylum accommodation, including vulnerable individuals being exploited and children facing severe malnutrition. The Home Office has been contacted for a response to these issues.