We commissioned the polling company ‘Find Out Now’ to carry out polling on public attitudes to allowing Gazan children to come to the UK for NHS treatment along with their families, and then reportedly claim asylum. 

The results:

Question 1:

The Government announced yesterday that a number of critically ill and injured Palestinian children will be evacuated from Gaza to the UK for medical treatment on the NHS in the coming weeks. The UK will cover the cost of medical treatment, in addition to the housing and living needs of the children and their family members. It is reported that many will go on to claim asylum in the UK along with their family members.

Critics argue that British children will be pushed further back in the NHS queue as a result.

Do you support or oppose this policy?

Support - 29.4%

Oppose - 37.8%

Don’t know - 32.8%

Question 2:

The Palestinian children from Gaza will receive treatment on the NHS in the UK, and thereafter be eligible to claim asylum in the UK. Which comes closest to your view?

They should receive treatment in neighbouring countries in the region - 48%

They should be able to receive NHS treatment in UK hospitals - 28.3%

Don't know - 23.7%

Question 3:

It is understood that these Palestinian children and numerous family members will be allowed to claim asylum in the UK after receiving treatment. Which comes closest to your view?

They should not be allowed to claim asylum in the UK - 50.4%

They should be allowed to claim asylum in the UK - 26%

Don’t know - 23.5%

Restore Britain’s Rupert Lowe commented:

“Sick children suffering anywhere in the world is not what anybody wants, but we simply do not have the capacity to treat these children. They will come with their families, and then more children will follow, with more families. This is unsustainable and unwanted - particularly from a volatile region which has such significant links to Islamist terrorism. 

When seriously ill British children are suffering, and even dying, from brutal NHS delays - we need to make a choice.

I have received vile abuse for making this argument over the last few days. But evidently, the British people agree with me.

We must put British children first, every single time.”

Find Out Now interviewed 1,600 GB adults on 19th August 2025, and produced a sample of 1,049 respondents which is representative by Age, Region, Gender, and 2024 GE. Find Out Now is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.