What benefits are they entitled to?
Asylum seekers are not automatically allowed to work. Once
they have waited 12 months for an initial decision on their case
they can apply for permission to work. Instead they have to
rely on state support, which is set at just 70% of income
support. Asylum seekers would prefer to be able to work and
support themsleves - many were doing highly qualified jobs before
they had to flee their home country. Many do voluntary work
while their asylum application is being processed. Those who
are given refugee status, which gives them the right to remain in
the UK, are then allowed to work.
Do asylum seekers get preferential treatment for social
housing?
The housing provided to asylum seekers is not part of the
council housing system, so they are not living in property that
could be allocated to someone on a housing waiting list. The
accommodation is funded by central government, and is nearly always
let from private landlords. Asylum seekers are not given a
choice about where they live. Those given refugee status have
to leave this accommodation, often moving into property that they
rent themselves.
Does Britain really take more asylum seekers and refugees than
other countries?
Actually, the UK receives a very small proportion of the world's
asylum seekers, less than 2%. Britain is in 9th place in
Europe per head of population for asylum applications. Over 70% of
the world’s refugees are in developing countries with nearly one
third of these in the 49 poorest countries in the world. The
vast majority of refugees end up in the Middle East and
Africa. As at May 2007, there were 98 asylum seekers living
in Suffolk, staying in 47 households. They had come from 19
different countries.
Do asylum seekers get priority health care over local
people?
Asylum seekers are entitled to register with a local GP and do
receive most services from the NHS, but they must go through the
same processes as everyone else.
Do asylum seekers ever go back to their own country?
Many asylum seekers do return to their home country once the
reasons that forced them to flee no longer exist. Many have had to
leave good jobs, a decent standard of living, and their families
and communities.The majority of refugees prefer to return home as
soon as circumstances permit, generally when a conflict has ended,
a degree of stability has been restored and basic infrastructure
has been rebuilt. Some refugees cannot go home or are
unwilling to do so, usually because they would face continued
persecution.
The Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme
(VARRP) assists asylum seekers who wish to return to their home
country but who do not have the means to do so. Applicants to
the programme may also apply for reintegration assistance.
Information about the programme can be found at:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/asylum/outcomes/unsuccessfulapplications/voluntaryreturn