The online document now has more than 380,000 signatures.

A petition to Parliament calling to stop providing financial support to asylum seekers has been waiting for more than two weeks for a response from the Government. Bob Clements, who created the online document, wrote that it advocates “a cessation of financial and other support provided to asylum seekers by the Government”. He added: “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.” At the time of writing, more than 383,000 people have signed, with 100,000 supporters needed for the issue to be considered for a debate by MPs. Parliament’s website reads: “Parliament considers all petitions that get more than 100,000 signatures for a debate.” It adds that this petition has been “waiting for 15 days for a debate date”.

Keir Starmer has signalled that visas given to citizens of uncooperative countries could be cut (Image: Getty)

Officials also note that the Government responds to all petitions that get more than 10,000 signatures.

This one has been waiting for 17 days for a Government response.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister signalled that countries that did not do enough to tackle the migration crisis, such as by taking back failed asylum seekers, could face repercussions as regards the number of visas issued to their citizens.

The Home Office says that 16,545 people have crossed in small boats so far in 2025.

PA reports that this represents a 45% increase from the same period in 2024 and is also higher than at the same point in 2022, the overall record year for crossings.

Speaking to reporters at the G7 summit in Canada, Sir Keir Starmer said: “It’s a serious challenge that requires serious responses to it.”

He added that ministers are looking at a “smarter use of our visas” and “whether we should tie our visas to the work that the countries we’re dealing with are doing on preventative measures and on return agreements”.

No 10 hinted that this is part of a “more hard-edged approach to diplomacy and migration”.

A spokesman said: “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.

“No one has a right to a UK visa, and this Government is making sure the rules are enforced.”

The Express has contacted Parliament and the Home Office for comment.