Questions and answers on refugee facts
How is an asylum-seeker defined?
An asylum-seeker is a person who has fled from their own country and is
seeking refugee status in a different country
What must an asylum-seeker do to obtain refugee status?
– Be outside their country of origin or the country they usually live, and
be at genuine risk and in fear of serious harm
– Prove their own government does not want to or is failing to protect them
– Prove fear is linked to their civil, political or social status, for
example, they are being persecuted because of ethnic origin or affiliation to
an opposition party
– Need and deserve protection
How many asylum-seekers enter the UK?
There were 80,315 applications received last year. This is an increase of
over 5,000 on 1999.
Nearly 6,000 (5,975) applications for asylum were received in July 2001. The
July figure is 10 per cent lower than a year ago, but 13 per cent higher than
June 2001’s 5,300.
How many asylum-seekers are granted refugee status in this country?
Last year, 10,185 asylum-seekers were given refugee status of the 109,205
asylum decisions made.
In July this year, 836 people were recognised as refugees, compared to 1,700
in March and 1,205 in February.
What do immigrant workers contribute to the UK’s economy?
In a Home Office report published this year, immigrants put £2.5bn back into
the economy, 10 per cent more money than British-born residents contribute. The
report also claims that immigrant workers do not take jobs away from British
people, they fill gaps.
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What are the regulations governing employing asylum-seekers in the UK?
Under the Asylum and Immigration Act of 1996, it is a criminal offence for
employers to take on employees whose immigration status prevents them from
working in this country. Employers are liable for fines up to £5,000.
