Payments for migrants to return to their home countries could get a “big increase”, Shabana Mahmood has said.

The Home Secretary told the BBC’s Political Thinking podcast she had directed officials to “pilot a small programme” of increased payments “to see how it changes behaviour”.

The UK offers payments of up to £3,000 for some people with no right to remain in the country who agree to return home.

In plans to overhaul the asylum system set out on Monday , Ms Mahmood said the offer of cash for voluntary returns would continue. She has now indicated it could increase.

She said: “I haven’t alighted on the full sums involved yet, but I am willing to consider a big increase on what we currently pay.

“I know it sticks in the craw of many people and they don’t like it, but it is

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