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Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Gloucestershire

One in five people think asylum makes up more than half of total UK immigration. In fact, it only made up around 7% of migration in the year ending June 2024. During this year, 1.16 million visas were granted for work, study or family reasons.

Just under nine out of ten (85%) of refugees tend to be supported predominantly by low and middle-income countries rather than wealthy, developed countries like the UK. The UK hosts around 1% of refugees and asylum seekers from across the world.

During the year ending June 2024, 93,342 people were offered a humanitarian route to come to, or remain in, the UK. These safe and official routes to the UK include those arriving with Ukraine Visa Schemes (including the Homes for Ukraine) or British National (Overseas) visas; or via the resettlement schemes including the Afghan programmes.

In Gloucestershire, there are 659,276 residents (data from 2023) and of these, 2,454 were refugees and people seeking asylum entitled to support. This equates to less than a half of one percent (0.37%, or 37 people per 10,000 settled Gloucestershire residents), a figure very similar to the proportion of refugees and asylum seekers supported across the UK (0.38%).

There were 38,784 irregular arrivals to the UK recorded in 2024, with over 80% of this number arriving in small boats across the English Channel.

Schemes

The Homes for Ukraine scheme (HFU) was launched on 14 March 2022 after the invasion of Ukraine the previous month. The scheme allows individuals in the UK to sponsor a named Ukrainian individual or family to come and live in the UK with them, providing that they have suitable accommodation that is available for at least six months after the arrival of their Ukrainian guests.

All local authorities have an essential role to play in supporting people in their area under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, both sponsors and guests. Funding is provided by government to provide support in the following areas:

  • Welcoming, safeguarding and settling in
  • Integration and work
  • English language support
  • Long-term sustainable housing
  • Reporting and data management

Guests arriving under the scheme have been able to access healthcare, benefits, employment support, education and English language lessons. Guests and hosts are visited regularly throughout each placement to offer support, signposting, mediation and to carry out safeguarding and welfare checks​.

Gloucestershire has welcomed over 1,700 guest arrivals to date across almost 900 hosts​. This equates to around 27 people for every 10,000 Gloucestershire residents. Hosts in Gloucestershire receive monthly thank you payments of £600, a locally increased amount from the national government’s payment of £350. On arrival, each guest receives £200 and a bus pass for 50 journeys.

Currently, there are 526 guests living with hosts on the HFU scheme in Gloucestershire. A further 703 guests have now moved to independent accommodation, whether that be secured via the private sector or through social housing, meaning there are 1,229 Ukrainians living in county on HFU visas in total.

Read more in Hosting as a housing option: HFU

The Homes for Ukraine scheme (HFU) was launched on 14 March 2022 after the invasion of Ukraine the previous month. The scheme allows individuals in the UK to sponsor a named Ukrainian individual or family to come and live in the UK with them, providing that they have suitable accommodation that is available for at least six months after the arrival of their Ukrainian guests.

All local authorities have an essential role to play in supporting people in their area under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, both sponsors and guests. Funding is provided by government to provide support in the following areas:

  • Welcoming, safeguarding and settling in
  • Integration and work
  • English language support
  • Long-term sustainable housing
  • Reporting and data management

Guests arriving under the scheme have been able to access healthcare, benefits, employment support, education and English language lessons. Guests and hosts are visited regularly throughout each placement to offer support, signposting, mediation and to carry out safeguarding and welfare checks​.

Gloucestershire has welcomed over 1,700 guest arrivals to date across almost 900 hosts​. This equates to around 27 people for every 10,000 Gloucestershire residents. Hosts in Gloucestershire receive monthly thank you payments of £600, a locally increased amount from the national government’s payment of £350. On arrival, each guest receives £200 and a bus pass for 50 journeys.

Currently, there are 526 guests living with hosts on the HFU scheme in Gloucestershire. A further 703 guests have now moved to independent accommodation, whether that be secured via the private sector or through social housing, meaning there are 1,229 Ukrainians living in county on HFU visas in total.

Read more in Hosting as a housing option: HFU

The UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) is open to vulnerable refugees from around the world offering a safe and legal route for those in need of protection. It launched in 2021, replacing the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) which provided sanctuary to those fleeing the Syrian conflict to neighbouring countries between 2014 and 2020.

People arriving via this route only move to the UK once suitable accommodation has been identified and is ready. Since its launch, the UK has welcomed refugees through this scheme from countries including Ethiopia, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen. 

The Home Office provides funding to local authorities for five-years per person, which will also include funding for education and health. Resettled refugees are granted Indefinite Leave to Remain and refugee status on arrival in the UK

Since 2015 under the combined schemes (VPRS and UKRS), Gloucestershire has welcomed 383 people across 95 family groups, with 347 remaining in county. There have been 47 babies born in Gloucestershire under these schemes since their parents' arrival.

  • Individuals who are resettled through the UKRS in Gloucestershire are met on arrival and supported with
    • settling in
    • introductions to local community networks
    • orientation and support to learn or improve their English language skills
  • Although their accommodation has been sourced and prepared, refugees need to pay rent as tenants.
  • Each family group or individual is supported directly by GARAS (Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers) who maintain close contact over the first 12 months after arrival to support with their wellbeing and to help them adapt to life in the UK. They provide support with:
    • applications with local schools
    • English language classes
    • registering at the Job Centre and attending appointments for benefit assessments
    • registering with a GP
    • providing advice and referral to appropriate mental health services; and if needed, to specialist services for victims of torture
    • assisting with access to employment

The UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) is open to vulnerable refugees from around the world offering a safe and legal route for those in need of protection. It launched in 2021, replacing the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) which provided sanctuary to those fleeing the Syrian conflict to neighbouring countries between 2014 and 2020.

People arriving via this route only move to the UK once suitable accommodation has been identified and is ready. Since its launch, the UK has welcomed refugees through this scheme from countries including Ethiopia, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen. 

The Home Office provides funding to local authorities for five-years per person, which will also include funding for education and health. Resettled refugees are granted Indefinite Leave to Remain and refugee status on arrival in the UK

Since 2015 under the combined schemes (VPRS and UKRS), Gloucestershire has welcomed 383 people across 95 family groups, with 347 remaining in county. There have been 47 babies born in Gloucestershire under these schemes since their parents' arrival.

  • Individuals who are resettled through the UKRS in Gloucestershire are met on arrival and supported with
    • settling in
    • introductions to local community networks
    • orientation and support to learn or improve their English language skills
  • Although their accommodation has been sourced and prepared, refugees need to pay rent as tenants.
  • Each family group or individual is supported directly by GARAS (Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers) who maintain close contact over the first 12 months after arrival to support with their wellbeing and to help them adapt to life in the UK. They provide support with:
    • applications with local schools
    • English language classes
    • registering at the Job Centre and attending appointments for benefit assessments
    • registering with a GP
    • providing advice and referral to appropriate mental health services; and if needed, to specialist services for victims of torture
    • assisting with access to employment

The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) is a Home Office relocation programme for Afghan citizens and their family members who worked for or with the UK Government in Afghanistan in exposed roles. Relocation to the UK may be offered to eligible families by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and who are deemed suitable by the Home Office.

The ARAP scheme was launched on 1 April 2021 and remains open. Up to September 2024, a total of 17,956 individuals have been relocated to the UK under the ARAP scheme.

  • When Afghan citizens arrive in the UK, they are usually housed at a MoD location prior to re-locating to service family accommodation at a military base within the UK.
    • All are assessed by the local NHS staff who assist with GP registration and support with any additional medical needs.
    • English language classes and assistance with cultural integration are also provided for all family members.

In Gloucestershire, 146 people within 33 family groups have resettled under the ARAP scheme so far with 4 groups having now moved out of the county since arriving.

  • The MoD will then source suitable housing for the families. so that they can settle and find work within their local area.
  • All are given indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
  • The Home Office provides funding to local authorities for three years for each person. There is additional education funding for under 18-year-olds.

The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) is a Home Office relocation programme for Afghan citizens and their family members who worked for or with the UK Government in Afghanistan in exposed roles. Relocation to the UK may be offered to eligible families by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and who are deemed suitable by the Home Office.

The ARAP scheme was launched on 1 April 2021 and remains open. Up to September 2024, a total of 17,956 individuals have been relocated to the UK under the ARAP scheme.

  • When Afghan citizens arrive in the UK, they are usually housed at a MoD location prior to re-locating to service family accommodation at a military base within the UK.
    • All are assessed by the local NHS staff who assist with GP registration and support with any additional medical needs.
    • English language classes and assistance with cultural integration are also provided for all family members.

In Gloucestershire, 146 people within 33 family groups have resettled under the ARAP scheme so far with 4 groups having now moved out of the county since arriving.

  • The MoD will then source suitable housing for the families. so that they can settle and find work within their local area.
  • All are given indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
  • The Home Office provides funding to local authorities for three years for each person. There is additional education funding for under 18-year-olds.

The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) formally began in January 2022, however, data on the number of people offered this route start from 2021. Up to September 2024, a total of 12,426 had been offered a place in the UK under the ACRS scheme. The scheme prioritises:

Those who have assisted the UK efforts in Afghanistan and stood up for values such as democracy, women’s rights, freedom of speech, and rule of law.

Vulnerable people, including women and girls at risk, and members of minority groups at risk (including ethnic and religious minorities and LGBT+)

Anyone who is resettled through the ACRS receives indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK and can apply for British citizenship after five years in the UK. The Home Office provides funding for local authorities for a three-year period for each person, with additional education funding for those under 18 years old.

The scheme is not application-based. Instead, eligible people are prioritised and referred for resettlement to the UK through one of three referral pathways. Eligible people can now be relocated to the UK without the prior requirement for settled accommodation.

In Gloucestershire, 47 people within 12 family groups have resettled under the ACRS scheme so far.

Local support is provided by GARAS. The most important role they have throughout the three-year resettlement scheme is that of support and advocacy.

  • Within the first week of arrival, GARAS support families and individuals to:
    • register for Universal Credit
    • set up bank accounts
    • register with healthcare providers
    • start the admissions process for education.
  • GARAS are also able to assist with signposting to other services as appropriate, such as GDASS (Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service) and provide trauma counselling for those who are feel that they are ready to access it.
  • Individuals with complex needs or disabilities are also assisted with accessing relevant services as needed.

The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) formally began in January 2022, however, data on the number of people offered this route start from 2021. Up to September 2024, a total of 12,426 had been offered a place in the UK under the ACRS scheme. The scheme prioritises:

Those who have assisted the UK efforts in Afghanistan and stood up for values such as democracy, women’s rights, freedom of speech, and rule of law.

Vulnerable people, including women and girls at risk, and members of minority groups at risk (including ethnic and religious minorities and LGBT+)

Anyone who is resettled through the ACRS receives indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK and can apply for British citizenship after five years in the UK. The Home Office provides funding for local authorities for a three-year period for each person, with additional education funding for those under 18 years old.

The scheme is not application-based. Instead, eligible people are prioritised and referred for resettlement to the UK through one of three referral pathways. Eligible people can now be relocated to the UK without the prior requirement for settled accommodation.

In Gloucestershire, 47 people within 12 family groups have resettled under the ACRS scheme so far.

Local support is provided by GARAS. The most important role they have throughout the three-year resettlement scheme is that of support and advocacy.

  • Within the first week of arrival, GARAS support families and individuals to:
    • register for Universal Credit
    • set up bank accounts
    • register with healthcare providers
    • start the admissions process for education.
  • GARAS are also able to assist with signposting to other services as appropriate, such as GDASS (Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service) and provide trauma counselling for those who are feel that they are ready to access it.
  • Individuals with complex needs or disabilities are also assisted with accessing relevant services as needed.

People also arrive in the UK seeking asylum, where they have not been able to travel under a recognised refugee scheme. Once in this country they need to apply for refugee status in order to stay. If they receive a positive decision on their asylum claim they will be granted leave to remain in the UK.

The majority of applications for asylum are approved (88% of asylum seekers in Gloucestershire between January and September 2024). This recognises that most people applying for asylum have a strong case to receive humanitarian protection in the UK when assessed against strict legal criteria.

The Home Office is responsible for providing asylum seekers with accommodation, and you can find out more here: Accommodation for asylum seekers

On arrival, residents in contingency hotel accommodation are seen by nurses from Gloucestershire’s Integrated Care Board who provide an initial health consultation, help with GP registration and support them with any ongoing medical need. Read about a case study here. All new arrivals will also be signposted to GARAS for support.

People also arrive in the UK seeking asylum, where they have not been able to travel under a recognised refugee scheme. Once in this country they need to apply for refugee status in order to stay. If they receive a positive decision on their asylum claim they will be granted leave to remain in the UK.

The majority of applications for asylum are approved (88% of asylum seekers in Gloucestershire between January and September 2024). This recognises that most people applying for asylum have a strong case to receive humanitarian protection in the UK when assessed against strict legal criteria.

The Home Office is responsible for providing asylum seekers with accommodation, and you can find out more here: Accommodation for asylum seekers

On arrival, residents in contingency hotel accommodation are seen by nurses from Gloucestershire’s Integrated Care Board who provide an initial health consultation, help with GP registration and support them with any ongoing medical need. Read about a case study here. All new arrivals will also be signposted to GARAS for support.