GB News fans fume over free hijab rule for small boat migrants

GB News fans fume over free hijab rule for small boat migrants According to reports, taxpayers have paid for 974 hijabs. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Emmanuella Ngimbi 10:44, Mon, Oct 5, 2026 Updated: 11:23, Mon, Oct 5, 2026 Migrants have been receiving free hijabs after illegally crossing the English Channel (Image: Getty) GB News viewers have taken to social media in fury following a report that migrants have been given free hijabs upon illegal arrival in the UK . During the breakfast programme's newspaper segment, presenter AJ Pritchard revealed: "When looking at the numbers, it shows that women are actually the lowest percentage of people that are coming in, and it just speaks to a wider picture ... as we say, young, military-aged men. Broadcaster Dawn Neesom chimed in: "These are people breaking into the country, they are doing it illegally, but why are taxpayers paying for them to receive anything? They're criminals, they're breaking the law." As she continued: "I have enormous sympathy for the women, they're the ones really suffering," host Ellie Costello highlighted. "Again, Dawn, as we've seen, it's the human rights rules, isn't it? "Why is there provision for cultural and religious clothing? Why does the taxpayer have to provide the religious covering? Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT "You had a hijab in France ; it was nice and dry in France; you could've stayed in France; you're not fleeing war, famine, terror, etc. We've been here a million times, haven't we?" Dawn interjected. The report sparked major fury on social media, as one GB News viewer raged: "They shouldn't even be here in the first place !! But good old prat Andy can't say no to his beloved migrants??" A second fumed: "This will finally bring down the Labour government. People can't take much more. The right needs to start talks." Taking to X/Twitter, another raged: "Why was Trump able to get control of the U.S. border so quickly, but the U.K., a f**king ISLAND, pretends to be powerless to do so??" While another suggested: "You're doing it to yourselves, UK. Either fight back or admit defeat." Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Strictly has just been handed biggest blow yet - this has never happened GB News halted for Andrew Mountbatten Windsor bombshell – nobody expected this The report was explored during the GB News segment (Image: GB News) According to The Mail on Sunday, internal government documents show officials gave 974 hijabs this year, a religious headdress some Muslim women and girls wear. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT The hijabs were handed out in clothing packs, which are provided to every migrant that reaches the UK via small boats over the Channel , reports suggest. The Home Office has responded by insisting it has the legal duty to provide them under the government short-term holding facility rules, first established under the Conservative government in 2018, and last amended when Rishi Sunak was Prime Minister. An insider told the publication: "All arrivals receive a basic dry clothing pack where required. The items available form part of standard welfare arrangements." 'Why are taxpayers paying for these people to receive anything?' Broadcaster, AJ Pritchard & Former Newspaper Editor, Dawn Neesom, on free hijabs for small-boat migrants.📺 Freeview 236, Sky 512, Virgin 604🇬🇧 Become a Friend of GB News: https://t.co/KHGzBF2vMr https://t.co/jgqAFTO6qO — GB News (@GBNEWS) October 5, 2026 It was revealed that 15,406 packs have been given to migrants, as 19,000 small-boat crossings have been attempted so far this year, the report says. The breakdown of the packs reflects that the vast majority of small-boat migrants are male, as 10,694 men's clothing packs were distributed. Meanwhile, only 2,760 packs were given to women, and 773 to boys and 829 to girls, with another 350 babygrows also handed out. The report also shared that the packs typically include dry, clean tracksuits to be worn while migrants are placed in 'holding rooms' or 'residential holding rooms' by immigration authorities, and disposable slippers. GB News English Channel migrant crossings Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments