![\"Counter-protestors](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/\/40e7b864-c566-4121-922a-8ecde5534265.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLondon councils are offering a swathe of discounts for asylum seekers to use their sporting facilities, including free swimming and gym sessions.<\/p>\n
Richmond council, in southwest London, allows \u201csanctuary seekers\u201d to apply for a free \u201cRichmond Card\u201d with a fitness subscription that gives holders access to general indoor swimming sessions, group exercise classes and gym sessions.<\/p>\n
The council accepts asylum applications and letters from the Home Office as proof of eligibility. The card gives access to five fitness centres in the borough.<\/p>\n
Working residents in Richmond must pay \u00a352.50 a month for access to fitness suites, classes and swimming at the same venues. People on benefits, including disability allowance, have to pay \u00a330 a month.<\/p>\n
The council\u2019s website says that the Richmond Card \u2014 which, without the free fitness subscription, is available to all residents \u2014 also includes discounts for local pilates classes, restaurants and French and Spanish lessons. Other discounts include 25 per cent off at a children\u2019s clothing shop in Twickenham and half-price nutrition consultations at a health centre.<\/p>\n
The apparent giveaway was first reported by the Guido Fawkes political blog.<\/p>\n
A spokesman for Richmond council said: \u201cThe fairer and free access schemes provide discounts or free access to some activities at our sports and fitness centres and is available to a number of eligible residents in Richmond, including pensioners, carers and those living with disabilities. Richmond council is committed to creating supportive and inclusive environments for sanctuary seekers, offering a range of services to enable their integration into local communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Counter-protesters show support for asylum seekers outside the Bell Hotel<\/p>\n
THOMAS KRYCH\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n
The neighbouring Kingston council is also offering heavily discounted services to migrants. As part of its \u201cactive Kingston\u201d scheme, care workers, people on benefits, pensioners and asylum seekers can access badminton, squash, tennis and racket facilities and group fitness classes all for half price.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Nigel Farage says \u2018social contract\u2019 at risk over migrant protests<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n These local offers come against a backdrop of tightening national policy. Asylum seekers face being made homeless<\/a> if they refuse Home Office orders to move them across the country under government plans to close migrant hotels.<\/p>\n Hundreds of migrants are refusing to be transferred every week, according to Home Office sources, frustrating the department\u2019s attempts to reduce the number of hotels being used for asylum seekers. Some hotels have had to remain in use for as few as three migrants due to their refusal to move out.<\/p>\n