Asylum seekers have misused ASPEN cards intended for essential purchases such as food and necessities, attempting over 6,500 gambling transactions in the past year. The cards are issued by the Home Office to prevent destitution among asylum seekers awaiting decisions. There were significant peaks in gambling attempts, including 227 in one week last November. Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp condemned the misuse of taxpayer money. There are about 80,000 ASPEN card users in the UK, and strict controls are in place regarding card use.
Some asylum seekers have been misusing payment cards intended for essentials, with over 6,500 gambling payments attempted using ASPEN cards in the past year.
A peak of 227 gambling attempts occurred in one week last November, contrasting with only 40 in a week last July.
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp criticized asylum seekers for attempting to use taxpayer-funded payments for gambling instead of necessities.
Currently, there are around 80,000 ASPEN card users in the UK, which have strict controls and limits on their use.
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