More than 1,000 hijabs have been supplied free of charge to migrants who crossed the Channel in small boats this year, with the cost covered by British taxpayers, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Internal government figures indicate that officials have distributed Muslim head coverings at an average rate of 162 each month to people arriving in the UK by boat.
The Conservatives on Saturday condemned the policy as “an insult to hard-working British taxpayers”, arguing that hijabs were being provided to people “breaking into our country”. The Home Office, however, said it was legally required to make such items available.
The figures have emerged against the backdrop of an increasingly heated political debate about Muslim headwear, which some critics view as a symbol of the subordination of women.
Laura Trott, the Shadow Education Secretary, told this newspaper that hijabs should not form part of school uniforms. “I do not believe the state should be party to an instrument of female suppression,” she said.
The disclosure also comes as public concern grows over the number of migrants crossing the Channel and the possible security risks associated with the arrivals.
On Friday, two Iranian nationals who arrived in Britain by small boat were charged with preparing a terrorist attack. They are accused of plotting to target Manchester’s Jewish community during Yom Kippur.
More than 1,000 hijabs have reportedly been provided free to small-boat migrants this year at public expense
More than 19,000 small-boat crossings to Britain have been attempted this year
The controversy over the free head coverings follows several developments:
Home Office records show that 974 hijabs were issued to boat migrants between January and June. If distribution continued at the same pace, the total would now be approaching 1,500.
Chris Philp, the Shadow Home Secretary, called on ministers to end the practice immediately. “It’s an insult to hard-working British taxpayers that they’re funding religious items for people who have broken into our country,” he said. “It should not be for us to fund someone else’s religious practices.
“Many illegal immigrants actually hate our values. Many come here for free accommodation and a life on benefits at our expense.
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“Illegal immigrants crossing the Channel are breaking into our country. They have no legitimate reason to flee France, which is clearly safe.
“That’s why we must leave the European Convention on Human Rights so we can deport all illegal immigrants immediately upon arrival.”
A Home Office source said the department had a legal obligation under the Short-term Holding Facility Rules to provide basic clothing, including garments required for cultural or religious reasons.
“All arrivals receive a basic dry clothing pack where required,” the source said. “The items available form part of standard welfare arrangements.”
The clothing figures reflect the fact that roughly three-quarters of those arriving are men. In total, 10,694 men’s clothing packs were distributed, including 22 in XXX Large.
Women received 2,670 packs, while 773 were issued for boys and 829 for girls. The supplies also included 572 beanie hats and 350 babygrows.
Last month, Education Secretary Lucy Powell said schools should not require young girls to wear the hijab. Her comments followed a case in which a London primary school required pupils as young as seven to wear one.
While her Tory shadow, Ms Trott, praised that stance, she added: ‘But she’s done nothing about it. This would not happen under us.’
More than 19,000 small-boat migrants have arrived so far this year, down by 42 per cent compared to the same period in 2025.
However, the numbers travelling on each vessel has increased, with an average of 67 migrants packing dangerously on to every boat.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has claimed that Brexit has made it harder to stop the boats, because ‘we are not able to have the same levels of collaboration that we used to have’.
A Home Office spokesman said: ‘We have made progress tackling the small boats. Crossings are down significantly.
‘We have just recorded the fewest summer arrivals since 2020.’
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