UK Hands Out 1,000 Hijabs to Channel Migrants: Tories Blast Use of Taxpayers’ Money to Fund ‘Instruments of Suppression’ for Illegal Arrivals

Small-boat migrants have been given more than 1,000 free hijabs on the British taxpayer this year, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Internal government figures show that officials have been handing over Muslim head coverings to those illegally landing on our shores at a rate of 162 a month.

{snip}

The disclosure comes amid growing political controversy over Muslim headwear, which many critics regard as symbols of female subservience.

Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott told this newspaper she was opposed to hijabs being part of school uniforms, saying: ‘I do not believe the state should be party to an instrument of female suppression.’

News of the free headgear comes as there is mounting public frustration over the flow of migrants across the Channel and potential security implications.

On Friday, two Iranian nationals who had arrived on small boats were charged with planning a terrorist attack over an alleged plot targeting Manchester’s Jewish community during Yom Kippur.

{snip}

Home Office documents show that between January and June, 974 hijabs were given to boat migrants. At that rate, the total is likely to be close to 1,500 by now.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: ‘The Government must stop handing out hijabs to illegal immigrants immediately.

{snip}

A Home Office source said it had a legal duty to provide basic clothing, including cultural and religious items, under the Short-term Holding Facility Rules.

It added: ‘All arrivals receive a basic dry clothing pack where required. The items available form part of standard welfare arrangements.’

The fact that three-quarters of the migrants are men is reflected in the clothing statistics: a total of 10,694 male clothing packs were handed over, including 22 in XXX Large size.

Just 2,670 packs were given to women, 773 to boys and 829 to girls. The list also includes 572 beanie hats and 350 babygrows.

{snip}