Frequently asked questions

A migrant is someone who moves to another country, often for work, study, or to join family. An asylum seeker is someone who has fled their country due to danger like war or persecution and is asking for protection. If their request is approved, they become a refugee.

International law says everyone has the right to seek asylum. But you must be in the UK to apply.

They must be in the UK and tell the authorities they want to claim asylum. The Home Office checks their case and may approve or deny it. If denied, they can appeal.

When individuals arrive in the UK, initial assessments and security checks are undertaken by the Home Office, including biometric (facial recognition and fingerprint) data, after which individuals are issued with an identity card known as an Application Registration Card (ARC). The Home Office notify the contracted provider of any previous known offences and risks in advance of any arrivals at any contingency sites. An assessment is then made to ensure that the property is appropriate accommodation.

Statistics show they are more likely to be victims of crime than to commit crimes.

Some choose the UK because they speak English or have family here. These are called 'pull factors'.

Some stay with friends or family. Others live in housing or hotels provided by the government.

Accommodation is provided by a Home Office contracted provider who source accommodation across the country.  In Melton, the contracted provider is Serco. Properties will not be sourced in areas where there are proven issues within the community. Melton Borough Council has provided information to Serco in the past on areas which we would not recommend.  But we must provide evidence and data to support a refusal of a proposed property.

Asylum seekers in the UK are dispersed across the country to distribute the responsibility of housing them more evenly and to ensure that any single local authorities or regions are not overburdened with disproportionate and concentrated numbers. Every local authority is provided with a target number that the contractor aims to meet, which covers the amount of asylum seekers and number of available bed spaces to be provided. This target is reviewed every 6 months, can go up or down and we have no say in what this target is.

Many individuals are forced to flee as young as 15 years old after witnessing the loss of their parents. In some cases, young single males are the only ones to have survived the treacherous journey that the very young or very old cannot endure, many have lost friends or family along the way.

Some have been fleeing for years, creating great pressure on family units, not knowing if their loved ones are still alive.

There is no law that says they must. The UK used to be a part of the Dublin III regulation, which states that all members are considered safe third countries. The country in which the asylum seeker first applies for asylum is responsible for either accepting or rejecting the claim, and the seeker may not restart the process in another jurisdiction. However, this no longer applies to the UK after Brexit.

Countries like Turkey, Colombia, Germany, Pakistan, and Uganda host significant numbers.

In Europe, France has the most asylum seekers, followed by Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece and Belgium.

The UK is below the average among EU countries for asylum applications per head of population.

Most cannot get regular benefits. They may get housing and basic support while waiting for a decision. If they get meals, they receive about £9 a week. If they cook for themselves, they get about £49 a week. They may also get help if they have children or are pregnant.

Asylum seekers are often given clothing or other essential items on arrival by charities.

Only if they’ve waited over 12 months for a decision and are not at fault for the delay. Even then, they can only do certain jobs.

They can use the NHS and their children can go to school. Some may get free school meals or childcare.

They become a refugee and can live and work in the UK. They can apply for housing like anyone else.

Not all asylum seekers will stay within the Melton area. They may have family members who have been in the UK a number of years or friends living in other areas.

While waiting, they cannot access social housing. If granted asylum, they can apply like any UK resident if they fulfil the eligibility criteria according to local housing allocation policies.

Melton Borough Council has been able to buy three new properties and bring them into our own stock from funding related to the Afghan Relocation programme. Two of these properties had to be let to families on the Afghan Resettlement programme as a condition of the funding.  This is different to any asylum seeker scheme.

Parks and community spaces may not have been present in their former countries. Parks and open spaces are to be enjoyed by all. Many face challenges such as poor living conditions, limited social opportunities and often they are not allowed to work. This along with stress and trauma they may have faced can have an impact on mental health. Parks offer a place for recreation, connect with others and feel part of the community. 

Services such as police, NHS and local authorities will receive funding based on previously determined factors from central Government.  There would be no need for additional funding if there is not an increase in demand for a service.

Children would not get preference for school placements. The council are in regular contact with Leicestershire County Council to understand pressures amongst education, but pressure from asylum seekers is currently not an issue in the Melton borough.

There are no priorities for any asylum seeker to receive health provision over anyone else.  This would only be based on an urgent need. They use services like health and education based on need, just like everyone else. However, upon arrival and placement into dispersed accommodation, they may be booked in for initial health checks and this may be done as a group for ease if they are placed in hotels or houses of multiple occupation.

These schemes are separate to the asylum and refugee processes and operate as a distinct pathway of pre-arranged transfer and support. Resettlement schemes provide a safe and recognised legal route for refugees to enter a host country based on vulnerability or other criteria. The UK currently operates a number of legal resettlement schemes - some of these are listed below:

Afghan Resettlement Programmes (ARP) – This scheme focuses on resettling Afghan citizens and their families who worked with or for the UK in Afghanistan.

Homes for Ukraine – This program was introduced in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It allows individuals in the UK to sponsor Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members to come to the UK and live with them.

Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) – This scheme allows British Nationals and eligible family members in Hong Kong to live, work and study in the UK with a pathway to settlement.

A friendly smile, welcome or invitation at a local community group or sports club can make a big difference.