Jewellery and valuables belonging to refugees could be seized to pay for housing

"From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story."

"The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference."

"Jewellery and valuables belonging to refugees could be confiscated in order to pay for accommodation and other costs as part of sweeping reforms to the asylum system, a Home Office minister has said. Alex Norris said it is right that if people have money in the bank, if people have assets they should be contributing, but he insisted that the government would not be taking family heirlooms off people arriving in Britain. Shabana Mahmood is set to rewrite how Britain grants refuge to those fleeing conflict and upheaval with a statement in the House of Commons on Monday an overhaul she insisted is needed because the pace and scale of change destabilised communities."

The Independent seeks donations to fund on-the-ground reporting and to keep journalism free of paywalls. The outlet highlights investigations into topics from reproductive rights to tech influence and produces documentaries spotlighting advocacy. The UK government is preparing sweeping asylum reforms that could require some asylum seekers to contribute to the cost of their support. Proposals may include confiscating jewellery and valuables to pay for accommodation and other costs, though ministers say family heirlooms would not be taken. Shabana Mahmood will announce changes intended to address destabilisation from rapid migration and community impacts.

Read at www.independent.co.uk