Facts about refugees and asylum seekers
The UK is home to around 0.5% of the world’s forcibly displaced refugees . This is less per capita than many of our European neighbours, such as France, Germany and the Netherlands.
People seeking asylum make up around 7% of the total number of migrants to the UK each year.
Four times as many people migrate to the UK to study than claim asylum .
There are 669,380 residents in Gloucestershire. As of 30th September 2025, there were 2,790 refugees or asylum seekers entitled to support across the Homes for Ukraine, Resettlement, and Asylum routes. Overall, this equates to less than a half of one percent (0.40%, or 40 people per 10,000 settled Gloucestershire residents). The UK average is 0.46%.
While more men have historically sought asylum in the UK, many men are later joined by their partners and families. In fact, 82% of adults granted refugee family reunion visas are women, showing that refugee communities are diverse and include many women and families.
When asylum seekers arrive in the UK they are placed in asylum accommodation by the Home Office. Asylum accommodation is often basic, using budget hotels or repurposed buildings. People have no choice over where the Home Office places them, with rooms being small and often shared with others, with very little privacy.
Asylum seekers receive very limited support from the Government while their asylum claim is being processed:
Those housed in hotels receive £9.95 per week, around £1.42 per day, to cover essential items like clothing, toiletries, phone credit, and transport.
Those in dispersal accommodation receive £49.18 per week, which must cover food costs as well as all essential items.
As a result, asylum seekers will often rely on charities for support.
Asylum seekers are not allowed to work while their claim is being processed due to Government rules. Once granted refugee status, they can work like anyone else and bring valuable skills and knowledge that benefit the whole of society. When legally employed, migrants directly support public services, with a particularly high proportion working in healthcare and in care roles.
People seeking asylum are not eligible for council housing while their claims are being assessed. Once someone is granted refugee status, they can apply for social housing or rent privately, just like any other eligible resident. Being granted refugee status does not give automatic priority to social housing. All social housing applications are assessed based on need.
