Bankrupt council offers asylum seekers huge discounts on trips to the theatre and more

Labour-run Birmingham Council is offering asylum seekers huge discounts for activities such as golf and trampolining - despite effectively being bankrupt. The cash-strapped authority is reportedly offering up to 25% off various sports and days out, whilst leaving tax-paying residents with no bin collection. Its new Passport To Leisure scheme includes money off tickets for shows and football matches as the council continues to rack up debt.

The swanky initiative includes a fifth off on the use of council swimming pools and subsidised sports lessons such as martial arts classes. Golf, football, gymnastics, yoga, squash and badminton are also available for discounts. Migrants, many of whom have arrived via a dinghy on the Channel, will have access to the scheme, The Sun reveals. This comes as Birmingham Council’s sky-high debt reaches nearly £4billion, declaring itself effectively bankrupt in 2023. A Section 114 notice was issued which meant the authority is now limited to essential spending only.

This year, British taxpayers’ have been left with rubbish piled high into the streets amid the bin strike. This comes after a pay dispute between union members, as well as proposed changes to roles.

Meanwhile, the scheme allows migrants to get 10% off at most council leisure sites, which includes trips to the theatre, museum and the city’s botanical gardens.

Residents over 60, full-time students, carers, disabled people and recipients of certain benefits have access to the Passport To Leisure.

Migrants have access to the scheme, in addition to the "Be Active" initiative for asylum seekers. This offers free swimming and gym sessions.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp told the newspaper: "This is a bankrupt Labour council, in the middle of a bin strike, racking up billions in debt, hiking council tax by 21%, and their priority is trampolining perks for illegal immigrants.

"It is a slap in the face for hard-pressed taxpayers who are being forced to subsidise freebies for illegal immigrants who claim asylum having crossed the channel."

The Daily Express has approached Birmingham Council for comment.

More than 23,500 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel so far in 2025, a record for this point in the year.

Around 32,000 asylum seekers are being housed in approximately 210 hotels around the country while they wait for their application to be processed.