Asylum seekers

An asylum seeker is someone who has left their country, often suddenly, because they are faced with persecution, war or violence and cannot get protection there.

They have fled war-torn countries, were trafficked to the UK or faced persecution and violence. They have temporary accommodation until their asylum request has been processed.

The Home Office are procuring hotels across the country as temporary accommodation.  

The decision to house asylum seekers is made by the Home Office and is a commercial agreement with the hotel. 

The Home Office have advised there are no current intentions to open any further asylum hotels.  

However, this is under constant review to ensure their statutory obligation to accommodate asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute is met. If the situation changes, the Home Office will open dialogue with both the local MP and the Chief Executive of the local authority in advance, as appropriate. 

Anyone who has questions about the use of a hotel in South Staffordshire can contact the Home Office by emailing public.enquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk, or by calling 0207 035 4848.

No, the Home Office makes the decision on which properties are used. Councils are informed of the intention to use the hotel but were not part of the decision-making process. 

No, the council do not receiving any funding to support those staying at the hotel. 

No, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), women and girls make up about half of any asylum seeking, refugee or internally displaced population. 

However, women and children may be left in refugee camps in neighbouring countries while the men leave the camp to take the risky and often deadly trip to another country. 

Families that travel together in a big group have a harder time with the logistics. Women and children are also at much higher risk of sexual abuse, violence and exploitation by traffickers and organised criminal gangs on the route. Therefore, families may stay behind and wait until the men have applied for asylum and the rest of their family will then follow in a much safer way. This is often facilitated by the British Red Cross. 

The number of refugees and people seeking asylum goes up and down, depending on what is happening in the world. Conflict in several countries has swelled recent figures. 

The Home Office does not comment on individual cases. 

It is worth noting that only 0.2 per cent of the population are refugees or asylum seekers. 

Most asylum seekers flee over their nearest border, where they are likely to live in camps. 

This can be seen in the case of Syria. Of the 6.7 million Syrian refugees globally, 4.6 million are being hosted by its neighbours – Turkey and Lebanon. 

Asylum seekers come from many parts of the world. Government statistics suggest that for the year ending September 2021 highest numbers came from Iran, Eritrea, Albania, Iraq and Syria. The nationality of those residing at the hotel will therefore vary. 

Most do. 80% of the world’s asylum seekers and refugees are living in countries neighbouring their country of origin. 

The number one reason that asylum seekers give for continuing their journey to the UK is that they have family ties here. This covers over 50% of cases. Other factors that people will take into account are more practical, for example, if you speak the language, you have more chance of being able to find a job and you can navigate everyday tasks like understanding public transport or going shopping. 

It is also not uncommon for asylum seekers to also state their belief that the UK is a safe, tolerant and democratic country and refer to previous links between their own country and the UK. 

There is no legal requirement for an asylum seeker to make their claim in any particular country. 

No, asylum seekers are not able to claim welfare benefits, nor are they allowed to work. 

Asylum seekers in the hotel receive food and accommodation and receive around £8 per week. 

Yes, they will be able to access local health services in the same way anyone visiting an area on a temporary basis can. 

Physical and mental health needs of those staying at the hotel have been assessed and local support is being put in place. 

Any concerns regarding an asylum seeker suspected of working illegally will be a Home Office and local policing issue. 

If you suspect that someone is working illegally, you can report this on the Gov.uk website by following this link Report an immigration or customs crime – GOV.UK.

The UK Government are currently providing accommodation and financial support to a significant number of asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute. They are being accommodated in contingency accommodation, including hotels, which have been requisitioned to provide short-term accommodation and facilities for new arrivals whilst they await the outcome of their asylum claim. - Why have asylum seekers been placed in hotel accommodation in South Staffordshire? The Home Office is using one hotel in South staffordshire as temporary accommodation, for people awaiting the outcome of their asylum application. The use of hotels is happening across the country and not just in South Staffordshire. This is due to the number of boats that cross the English Channel continuing to rise, which means that not all asylum seekers can be accommodated in specialised migrant processing centres. 

If you have any questions about the hotel, please contact the Home Office by emailing public.enquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk 

Those staying at the hotel are free to come and go from the hotel, should they choose to do so, but are expected to live in their assigned accommodation whilst their application is being processed. They are not held under detention powers and they will not be prevented from leaving. Movement in and out of the hotel is monitored and managed. 

All arrivals receive an induction and information about UK culture, values and law. This includes information on British values, such as respecting and obeying the law, respecting the rights of others and treating others with fairness.

Specific risks have not been identified and police will be working with the council and other colleagues to promote community cohesion and prevent crime in the local area. Feedback from other areas where asylum seekers have been accommodated is that there have been low levels of crime and disorder during their stay. 

Any concerns about noise and anti-social behaviour from the hotel should be emailed to communities@sstaffs.gov.uk. Any concerns about anti-social behaviour in the local area should be reported to the police. The police will deal with any such reports or concerns as they would normally do, supporting the victim and dealing with the perpetrator. If you have a crime to report, please contact the Police in the usual ways by either calling 101 or using their online reporting form. Only use 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger or if the crime is happening right now.

Refugee Action: Facts about refugees - Refugee Action (refugee-action.org.uk)

Migrant Help: Migrant Help (migranthelpuk.org)

Red Cross: The British Red Cross | Worldwide Humanitarian Charity