Families with rejected asylum claims say a seven-day deadline to leave the UK is too short. The Home Office pilot offers up to £40,000 for voluntary return. Families in the United Kingdom whose asylum claims have been refused say they need more time to decide whether to leave the country after receiving notices from the Home Office that give them only seven days to choose voluntary return.
The government recently launched a pilot scheme targeting 150 families with rejected asylum applications. Under the plan, families can choose to return to their home countries voluntarily and receive financial support of up to £10,000 per person. The total payment for a family can reach £40,000.
However, families who received the notices say the one week deadline is extremely difficult to manage, especially for households with children who are settled in schools and local communities.
Parents describe the request as emotionally overwhelming because the decision will affect their children’s education, friendships, and future opportunities. Many say they need more time to consider the safety risks and practical challenges of returning to their countries of origin.
One father with a teenage daughter preparing for GCSE exams said the message from the Home Office caused deep distress within his family. He explained that his wife became overwhelmed with emotion and struggled to accept the possibility of leaving a country they now view as home.
He also said his daughter fears she will lose the chance to complete her exams and pursue her academic goals if the family has to leave immediately.
Another parent said both she and her teenage son currently receive treatment for depression and anxiety. She said returning to their home country does not feel safe and that the family needs more time to think carefully about their next step.
She has asked the Home Office to delay the seven day deadline so families can make decisions without intense pressure.
Some parents also expressed concern about the language used in official communication. One father said he felt authorities warned him that if his family refused voluntary return they could face forced deportation.
The pilot program includes updated guidance that allows the use of physical force during removal operations in certain circumstances. According to the consultation document, physical intervention involving children may be used as a last resort if authorities encounter resistance during deportation procedures.
Government statistics show that most family departures from the UK occur through voluntary return programs rather than enforcement action. Last year more than 1,100 families left the country voluntarily, while only a small number were removed by force.
Even so, families involved in the new scheme say the possibility of forced removal is frightening, particularly for children who have grown up or spent significant years in the United Kingdom.
Many parents say their main request is simple: more time to think, plan, and protect their children’s wellbeing before making a life changing decision.
The Home Office has said it will not comment in detail on the pilot scheme until the trial period has been completed and reviewed.
