This section - Asylum Scheme | Mythbuster | Terminology

Asylum Scheme - Coaching with a conscience

Challenging the Media Myths

Myth: Asylum seekers come to Britain to take advantage of our benefits system.

Fact: Asylum seekers are not allowed to claim the usual welfare benefits. If they are destitute(i.e. have no other means of support), or are likely to become so within 14 days, the only option for some is to apply for support with the National Asylum Support Service (NASS). The support provided by NASS is very basic and, after housing and fuel costs have been met, a single adult has to survive on £39.34 a week. This is only 70% of regular income support, which is meant to be the minimum amount of moneyan adult needs to survive on each week. It means that asylum seekers are forced to live below the official poverty line.

Myth: Asylum seekers are taking our jobs.

Fact: Since July 2002 asylum seekers are not allowed to work or undertake vocational training until they are given a positive decision on their asylum application. Home Office research has shown that asylum seekers would by far prefer to support themselves than be supported by the government, but the law prevents them from doing so.

Myth: Britain is the number one desination for asylum seekers.

Fact: Most people who seek asylum flee to the neighbouring country. This means that some of the poorest countries in the wold are in fact supporting the largest number of refugees.

Myth: Asylum seekers are taking our housing.

Fact: Asylum seekers have no choice about where they live. Most are given 'hard to let' properties that no-one else wants and that do not form part of any council waiting list; or they are farmed out to privately-rented flats.

Myth: Asylum seekers are bogus.

Fact: In 2002, over 40% of asylum claims were granted and therefore were deemed genuine. Many more are successful on appeal (making the percentage of positive decisions 56%). Even when asylum seekers have their claims turned down, it does not mean that they are cheats - they have been excercising a fundamental human right. Claiming asylum is not easy; there are very strict criteria laid down in the down in the 1951 Convention on Refugees. A large number of asylum seekrs have their applications refused on purely procedural grounds.

Myth: Immigration is damaging Britain.

Fact: As the UK's population is getting older, many more working age people are needed to support the economy. There is also a shortage of highly skilled people in key sectors such as the NHS, public services and IT industry. Some studies estimate that we need to increase immgration by a fifth to prevent an economic crisis. In addittion to this, we can all benefit from living in diverse and non-discriminatory communities.