Victims of forced marriage will not longer have to pay for their return to the UK, the foreign office has announced.
The Times reported earlier this month that those lacking the financial means to cover food, water, shelter and flights had to take out an emergency loan. The news was met with astonishment and anger.
The government will now try to ensure the financial strain falls on the perpetrators "where possible."
Any of those with unpaid loans will not have to pay any the outstanding debt and their passports will be unblocked.
It follows comments on January 1 by Tom Tugendhat, chair of the foreign affairs select committee, who applauded the work of the UK’s forced marriages unit but tweeted: “We shouldn’t be charging the most vulnerable for their own protection or dissuading them from asking for it.”
In response, foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt told Mr Tugendhat, a fellow Conservative MP, of the “immediate policy change.”
“Whereas the Foreign Office rightly expect that adult Britons who receive consular assistance will, in general, pay for their own travel home, victims of forced marriage may have endured particular suffering. They will often have travelled abroad against their own wishes, or under false pretences,” he wrote.
In 2016-17 the forced marriages unit helped 82 people to return to the UK. Most were able to pay their costs but 12 were not.
According to a freedom of information request by The Times at least eight people were loaned £7,765 (Dh36,385). Roughly £3,000 (Dh 14,057) remained unpaid but more than £4,500 (Dh21,086.) remain outstanding.
_______________
Read more:
UK forces kidnapped brides to repay airfares
British immigration lawyer exposed as 'forced marriage fixer'
‘Triple talaq’ divorce not legal in EU, top court rules
_______________
Previously under foreign office conditions a surcharge of 10 per cent was added if the debt was not paid off within six months.
The controversial practise was first brought to public attention by the Muslim Women’s Network UK two years ago. The policy was amended to not includ 16 and 17-year-olds but remained unchanged for adults.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
