" Providing relief for asylum seekers, refugees and migrants who are in distress "
Children helped by Migrant Helpline in the UK.
Children working by sea.
Young girl helped by Migrant Helpline.

Asylum Seeker Facts & Figures

There has historically been much negative and sometimes inaccurate reporting on the subject of asylum by the local and national media.

Some information which is not widely reported:

  • Between 2002 & 2006 the UK received 4.3 asylum applications per 1,000 of its inhabitants. It rated sixteenth out of a list of fifty European and non-European industrialised countries. The figure of 4.3 was slightly above the average of 3.75 asylum applications per 1,000 inhabitants.

  • Europe as a whole only takes 19% of the world's refugee population. Asia and Africa have accepted 45% and 30% respectively. The developing world bears the greatest burden in offering shelter to refugees. Iran and Pakistan between them have taken in over 4 million refugees.

  • Asylum seekers coming to the UK are not entitled to mainstream welfare benefits. A single person aged 25 or over who qualifies for support via the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) must survive on £41.41 per week, 30% below the official poverty line. If such a person received full-board accommodation from NASS then they would only get £10.00 per week.

  • Asylum seekers are not allowed to work in the United Kingdom. A 2007 opinion poll carried out by ORB found that two thirds of UK adults supported giving asylum seekers and those overstaying their visa the possibility of working in order to support themselves.

  • By definition there is no such thing as an "illegal asylum seeker" or an "illegal refugee". By signing the 1951 Convention on Refugees the UK must allow new arrivals the right to apply for asylum and to remain here until a final decision on their application is made.

Facts & Statistics from UNHCR, Human Rights Watch, European Council on Refugees & Exiles, Opinion Research Business, www.refugeeweek.org