Asylum disperal - misinformation
It is essential to challenge myths and misinformation about immigration and asylum seekers with facts.
Below are some of the common claims, and the facts behind them:
Claim: “The Council is using hotels to house asylum seekers in the Borough”
What’s true: The Borough does not have any hotels being used for asylum seekers.
Claim: “People are being evicted from their homes so landlords can rent to Serco for asylum housing’’
What’s true: The Home Office’s accommodation provider, has confirmed it does not evict existing tenants to make way for asylum accommodation.
Claim: “They get free houses from the Council.”
What’s true: People seeking asylum are placed in temporary accommodation by the Home Office, while their claims are being assessed. NBBC does not choose who comes or where they stay. Once granted refugee status, individuals can apply for social housing or rent privately, like any other eligible resident.
Claim: “They get a house as soon as they arrive.”
What’s true: Asylum seekers often wait months or even years in temporary accommodation allocated by the Home Office. They don’t get to choose where they live, and they cannot apply for social housing until they are granted refugee status.
Claim: “They jump the queue for social housing.”
What’s true: Refugees go through the same housing application process as everyone else. Being granted refugee status does not give automatic priority. All applications are assessed based on need in the same way for all applicants.
Claim: “They get £70 a day in spending money.”
What’s true: Asylum seekers in hotel accommodation receive £9.95 a week, that’s about £1.42 a day, to cover essentials like toiletries. Those in temporary accommodation receive £49.18 a week to cover food, clothing and toiletries.
Claim: “They purposely refuse to work to pay for their stay.”
What’s true: Government rules currently do not allow people seeking asylum to work while they wait for a decision. This is government policy, not their personal choice.
Claim: “They get free iPhones paid for by the taxpayer.”
What’s true: Asylum seekers do not get free iPhones, Samsung or any phones at all. They may receive basic support from charities to help them stay connected with loved ones, but mobile phones, or even internet access, are not part of the government’s asylum support so are not paid for using public money.
Claim: “They’re given better treatment than our homeless.”
What’s true: Asylum seekers are housed due to the Government’s legal obligation to do so. Homelessness is a separate and equally urgent issue. One crisis should not be used to dismiss the other.
Claim: “They’re pretending to be refugees to get free stuff.”
What’s true: Every asylum claim is assessed carefully by the Home Office. Most people seeking asylum are fleeing war, torture or persecution. They want safety, dignity and a chance to rebuild their lives.