Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between a person seeking asylum and a refugee?
- Where do refugees come from?
- How many people seeking asylum are there in South Tyneside?
- What do people seeking asylum receive?
- Why do people travel to the UK?
- Do people seeking asylum suffer from crime?
- What can I do to help?
- What is the difference between a person seeking asylum and a refugee?
A person seeking asylum has come into this country and applied for permission to stay because of alleged risk in their home country but has not yet been granted asylum.
A refugee is someone who has been granted asylum (leave to remain) and is considered to fall under the 1951 UN Convention which Britain has signed up to.
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- Where do refugees come from?
Since 2004 the top ten countries people have come from to seek asylum in Britain have been Afghanistan, China, Eritrea, Iran, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Nigeria, Sudan, and India. All places where there has been instability, war, civil unrest and serious abuse of human rights.
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- How many people seeking asylum are there in South Tyneside?
As at 31 November 2007 there are 144 people seeking asylum residing in South Tyneside and that's about 0.095% of South Tyneside's population. According to the Home Office Greater London has the largest number with 9,580, followed by Yorkshire and Humberside with 6,970.
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- What do people seeking asylum receive?
People seeking asylum receive a maximum of 70% of the current Income Support rates. The following figures are the weekly amounts for the year 2006-07:
- Qualifying couple £63.07
- Lone parent £40.22
- Single person aged 25 or over £40.22
- Single person aged at least 18 but under 25 £31.85
- Person aged at least 16 but under 18 (except a member of a qualifying couple) £34.60
- Children aged under 16 £45.58
People seeking asylum can not claim any other benefits that British Citizens are entitled to (e.g. incapacity benefit, carer's allowance etc). People seeking asylum are not usually allowed to work.
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- Why do people travel to the UK?
Many people put their fate in the hands of people traffickers and have no choice about where they end up. Those that can choose to travel to the UK share a variety of reasons for doing so. One reason is because of our colonial history - the fact that many countries have an historical link to the UK. People also come here because they can either speak English, or because English is widely spoken in the world and they wish to learn it. Another reason is that the UK has an honourable tradition of providing people refuge when they have had to flee persecution in their home countries. Others will have family and friends in this country and wish to be reunited.
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- Do people seeking asylum suffer from crime?
People seeking asylum are increasingly likely to be the victims of crime. Incidents of racist attacks/abuse against people seeking asylum have increased significantly in the last few years and 'Agencies against Crime and Harassment' report a 27% increase in reported racist incidents. For many people, living with constant racist abuse has become all too commonplace. This can and often does have a devastating impact on people's health and ability to take part in everyday community life.
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- What can I do to help?
Offer a warm welcome to people from other countries arriving in your community. Sometimes just saying 'hello' is a good way to get to know people.
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