Myths surrounding asylum

We can't cope with the influx of asylum-seekers

The UK is home to less than 3% of the world's refugees - around 290,000 out of 8.4 million worldwide. Three quarters of refugees live in developing countries.

They just come here for state handouts

Most asylum seekers know little about the UK asylum or benefits systems before they arrive. The support they receive is set at 70% of income support. They are denied access to many of the benefits others rely upon, such as disability living allowance. The UK gives less financial support than other European countries including Belgium, Ireland and Denmark.

They jump the housing queue

Asylum seekers do not jump the queue for council housing and cannot choose where they live. Their accommodation is not paid for by the local council. It is nearly always "hard to let" property where other people do not want to live.

They take our jobs

Asylum seekers are not allowed to work unless they have waited over 12 months for an initial decision on their case. A third of asylum seekers have degrees or professional qualifications in nursing, teaching, pharmacy and other professions where we have serious shortages.

They are violent and commit crimes

Asylum seekers are no more likely to commit crimes than anyone else. They are often the victims of crime.

Most of them are economic migrants

Two-thirds of asylum seekers had jobs in their own countries. Most of them live in poverty in the UK and experience poor health and hunger.

They have no right to be here

Asylum seekers have legal rights to stay in this country under the United Nations Convention on the Status of Refugees and its 1967 New York protocol.

The true facts

This Refugee Council page sets out the latest misleading reports from the Press , and the true facts. http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/campaigning/takeaction/campaigners_pack/press_myths