Refugees and Migrants - The Facts
These facts are accurate as of July 2026.
Online and in print media today there is a lot of mis-information about refugees, migrants and asylum seekers. It is important to draw a line between fact and fiction in order to advocate for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers. Spreading misinformation can be harmful and dangerous, so we have put together this guide to ensure that everyone has access to the facts.
What is an ‘Illegal Asylum Seeker’?
There is no such thing! It is not illegal to seek asylum. Seeking asylum is a legal process and a right that everyone has access to.
What is the difference between an ‘asylum seeker’ and a ‘refugee’?
A ‘refugee’ is someone who has fled their country and is unable to return because of war or human rights violations. A refugee has been granted protection in another country by a government body and has the right to international protection.
An ‘asylum seeker’ is someone who has fled their country and is seeking protection in another country from war or human rights violations. Their status as a ‘refugee’ has not been determined, and they must go through a complicated legal process in another country to prove that they should be determined as a ‘refugee’. Seeking asylum is a human right.
Can Asylum Seekers in the UK claim benefits?
No. Those seeking asylum in the UK cannot work or claim the same benefits as UK citizens. They are paid a stipulation of £49.18 per week to help with living costs.
Do people seeking asylum need to claim asylum in the first safe country that they reach?
No. This is not a requirement by international law. Many migrants and refugees take difficult journeys to places that they have a connection to - perhaps somewhere that they speak the language, or have family residing.
Is it illegal to arrive in the UK via a small boat?
Crossing the English Channel in a small boat is a highly dangerous and often traumatising way to reach the UK. It is only attempted by desperate people fleeing unsafe situations. Arriving in the UK without a visa or special permission is illegal regardless of how you travel, but anyone who claims asylum once they arrive is protected by international law. If their asylum claim is successful then they won’t be prosecuted for how they arrived in the country.
Do asylum seekers live in luxury hotels at the expense of UK taxpayers?
No. When those seeking asylum arrive in the UK they are put into basic temporary accommodation as an interim measure for a maximum of 3-4 weeks. When processing becomes backlogged sometimes the delays mean asylum seekers are hosted in bed and breakfast accommodation for a short time.
Do refugees take jobs from UK-born workers?
Asylum seekers who have not had their claim processed are unable to work in the UK. Once their claim has been approved, a refugee may look for a job, but they often face many barriers to employment such as language ability, non-recognition of qualifications, discrimination and gaps on their CV. In fact, refugees in the UK are 4 times more likely to be unemployed than people born here, and on average earn about half the amount per week that UK nationals do.
What is the ‘far-right’?
The ‘far-right’, sometimes called ‘right wing extremism’ is the name for a set of political ideologies and the people that subscribe to those ideologies. Far-right groups disproportionately target global ethnic majority groups, LGBTQI+ people and some religions.
Helpful online resources to keep up to date with the facts about migrants and refugees: