Richmond and other London borough councils face mounting criticism for providing asylum seekers with free or reduced-price access to gyms, pools and sports activities, stirring debate over fairness and resource priorities during ongoing economic hardship.
Councils in London, including the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, have been providing asylum seekers with free or discounted access to leisure facilities, drawing public attention and political criticism amid ongoing debates on resource allocation. Richmond Council’s so-called “Richmond Card” scheme, available to asylum seekers referred to as “sanctuary seekers,” offers free access to gym sessions, group exercise classes, and swimming lessons at five leisure centres across the borough. This contrasts sharply with charges levied on local working adults, who can be required to pay up to £52.50 monthly for similar access.
According to Richmond Council, the fairer access initiatives aim not only to include low-income residents, carers, and pensioners but also to facilitate the integration of sanctuary seekers into the community by providing supportive environments through a range of services. Those eligible for the free concession Richmond Card under the scheme include individuals in emergency accommodation or holding recognized Home Office documentation such as an Asylum Application Registration Card. Applications must be submitted via email, with applicants providing proof of eligibility and personal details. The scheme extends to several facilities including Pools on the Park, Teddington Pools and Fitness Centre, and others spread across the borough. The initiative forms part of Richmond’s broader Fairer Access Scheme, which also offers various discounts to residents on benefits such as Jobseeker’s Allowance, Universal Credit, and Disability Allowance, granting significant concessions on pay-as-you-go sessions and junior activities.
Neighbouring Kingston Council similarly offers asylum seekers up to 50% discounts on sports activities through its “Active Kingston Card,” usable at six local leisure centres. Labour-run Wandsworth Council also implements measures like 50% off e-bike rentals for asylum seekers, initiatives which have provoked political backlash. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticised these moves as a “slap in the face,” arguing that such benefits are an affront to struggling families and indicative of misplaced priorities.
While the councils frame these schemes as essential to fostering inclusivity and supporting vulnerable individuals, such policies have been met with public scrutiny, especially given reports of misuse of taxpayer funds intended for essentials. For instance, there are allegations that over 6,000 asylum seekers have diverted state money meant for food and clothing towards gambling, fuelling wider debates over welfare provision and accountability.
Richmond Council emphasises that the Fairer Access Scheme, updated in January 2025, aims to ensure equitable pricing across its leisure services, removing barriers through discounted or free access while maintaining affordability for the broader community. This includes concessions on memberships, pay-as-you-go sessions, and eliminating joining fees. The council provides comprehensive guidance on proof of eligibility, requiring documentation such as housing benefit letters or asylum application confirmation to obtain these cards.
These initiatives reflect a broader challenge facing local authorities balancing integration support for asylum seekers with fairness perceived by existing residents. Critics question the appropriateness of free leisure access amid a cost-of-living crisis, while councils maintain the importance of inclusive services as part of community cohesion and wellbeing.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Verification / Sources
- https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2088808/councils-give-asylum-seekers-free – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.richmond.gov.uk/fairer_access – The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames offers the Fairer Access Scheme, providing discounts or free access to various activities at their sports and fitness centres. Eligible residents, including those receiving benefits such as Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Disability Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit, or Pension Credit, can obtain a concession Richmond Card. This card grants a 60% discount on pay-as-you-go adult swimming and gym sessions, free general swimming for children of concession cardholders, and a 40% discount on junior coached activities (excluding swimming lessons). The scheme is available at multiple centres, including Pools on the Park, Teddington Pools and Fitness Centre, Shene Sports and Fitness Centre, Whitton Sports and Fitness Centre, Hampton Sports and Fitness Centre, and Teddington Sports Centre. Applications can be made online or in person at these centres, with proof of eligibility required. Sanctuary seekers and individuals in emergency accommodation can apply for a free concession Richmond Card, granting free access to general swimming sessions, group exercise classes, and gym sessions at the specified centres. Applications for this free card must be made via email to the Leisure Card team, providing necessary personal details and proof of eligibility. For more information, contact the Leisure Card team at [email protected] or call 020 3772 2999.
- https://www.richmond.gov.uk/news/news_october_2024/fairer_access_scheme_for_leisure_centres – In October 2024, the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames introduced the Fairer Access Scheme to ensure that no one is priced out of using their leisure centres. The scheme offers benefits such as savings on pay-as-you-go swimming and gym sessions, free general swimming for children of concession cardholders, and a 40% discount on junior coached activities (excluding swimming lessons). Eligible residents include those receiving benefits like Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Disability Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit, or Pension Credit. The scheme is available at centres including Pools on the Park, Teddington Pools and Fitness Centre, Shene Sports and Fitness Centre, Whitton Sports and Fitness Centre, Hampton Sports and Fitness Centre, and Teddington Sports Centre. Applications for the concession Richmond Card can be made online or in person at these centres, with proof of eligibility required. Sanctuary seekers and individuals in emergency accommodation can apply for a free concession Richmond Card, granting free access to general swimming sessions, group exercise classes, and gym sessions at the specified centres. Applications for this free card must be made via email to the Leisure Card team, providing necessary personal details and proof of eligibility. For more information, contact the Leisure Card team at [email protected] or call 020 3772 2999.
- https://www.richmond.gov.uk/leisure_card_cost – The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames offers various concession memberships for their leisure centres, including the Fairer Access Scheme and the Sanctuary Seekers and People in Emergency Accommodation scheme. The Fairer Access Scheme provides a free concession Richmond Card to eligible residents, including those receiving benefits such as Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Disability Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit, or Pension Credit. This card grants a 60% discount on pay-as-you-go adult swimming and gym sessions, free general swimming for children of concession cardholders, and a 40% discount on junior coached activities (excluding swimming lessons). The Sanctuary Seekers and People in Emergency Accommodation scheme offers a free concession Richmond Card to sanctuary seekers and individuals in emergency accommodation, granting free access to general swimming sessions, group exercise classes, and gym sessions at specified centres. Applications for these free cards must be made via email to the Leisure Card team, providing necessary personal details and proof of eligibility. For more information, contact the Leisure Card team at [email protected] or call 020 3772 2999.
- https://www.richmond.gov.uk/leisure_and_youth_richmond_card – The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames offers the Leisure and Youth Richmond Card, providing young people up to 19 years old (or 25 if they have a disability) with access to sports and fitness centres and local business offers. The card is free for individuals who live, work, attend school, or attend a youth club in the borough. Benefits include discounts on various activities at sports centres and youth clubs, such as 50% off junior court hire at weekends and during school holidays, a minimum of 10% discount on all classes and activities, and discounted general swim sessions. To apply, individuals must provide proof of eligibility, and the card will be mailed within five working days. For more information, visit the Richmond Council website or contact the Leisure Card team.
- https://www.richmond.gov.uk/news/news_january_2025/move_more-_pay_less_fairer_access_scheme_expanded – In January 2025, the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames expanded their Fairer Access Scheme to ensure that no one is priced out of using their leisure facilities. The expanded benefits include no joining fee on direct debit and annual memberships, a 60% discount on pay-as-you-go adult swimming and gym sessions, free general swimming for children of concession cardholders, a 40% discount on junior coached activities (excluding swimming lessons), a free concession Richmond Card, and a Fairer Access membership at a discounted price of £30 per month or £300 for an annual membership, granting access to all leisure centres and including gym access, fitness classes, and swimming bookings. Applications for the concession Richmond Card can be made online or in person at leisure centres, with proof of eligibility required. For more information, contact the Leisure Card team at [email protected].
- https://www.richmond.gov.uk/richmond_card_proofs – The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames provides information on accepted proofs for obtaining a Richmond Card, which grants access to various council services and discounts. Proofs of address include documents such as a driving licence, NHS medical card, council tax bill, tenancy agreement, rent book, home ownership details, utility bill, home insurance certificate, benefits letter (dated within the last three months), or TV licence. Proof of age for individuals over 60 can be provided through documents like a passport, birth certificate, Older Persons’ Freedom Pass, driving licence, or NHS medical card. Proof of state benefit can be shown through documents such as a housing benefit statement, income support statement, incapacity benefit statement, or letter of entitlement from the Department for Work and Pensions. Proof of study for full-time students can be provided with a student ID. Proof of employment with the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames can be shown through a payslip or payroll number. For more information, visit the Richmond Council website or contact the Richmond Card team.
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Freshness check
Score: 8
Notes: The narrative presents recent developments regarding Richmond Council’s ‘Richmond Card’ scheme, offering free access to leisure facilities for asylum seekers. The earliest known publication date of similar content is 8 October 2024, when Richmond Council announced the Fairer Access Scheme, which included free access for asylum seekers. (richmond.gov.uk) The report includes updated data, such as the expansion of the scheme in January 2025, which may justify a higher freshness score. (richmond.gov.uk) However, the narrative also references earlier versions with different figures and dates, indicating potential discrepancies. Additionally, the report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The narrative has been republished across various outlets, including low-quality sites and clickbait networks, which raises concerns about its originality. The narrative is based on a press release from Richmond Council, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, the presence of recycled content and discrepancies in figures and dates suggest a need for further verification.
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