Claim: ‘Wales is giving £1,600 a month to illegal migrants‘
The Welsh Government’s Basic Income for Care Leavers pilot was designed to support children in Wales when leaving care at 18 years old. The aim of the pilot was to provide this group with the best possible start in life. The programme had very specific eligibility criteria.
The pilot was open from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, for those turning 18 during this period and having been in local authority care for at least 13 weeks between ages 14 and 18. This includes young people living outside Wales who are supported by local authorities in Wales.
Participants receive £1280 per month (£1600, pre-tax) for a duration of 24 months from the month after their 18th birthday.
As of July 31, 2024, 644 individuals benefited from the basic income payment, including 74 current or former unaccompanied asylum-seeking and refugee children. They are not ‘illegal migrants’ but children who arrived in Wales without parents or guardians and were looked after in the care system.
More information can be found at: Basic income pilot for care leavers | GOV.WALES