Asylum

MYTH: Our council tax bills are going up to pay for asylum-seekers.

FACT: The costs of looking after asylum seekers and processing their claims are met by the Home Office.

MYTH: The UK takes more than its fair share of the world's asylum seekers.

FACT: 16 other European countries have more asylum seekers per head of population than Britain . Britain has 0.5 asylum seekers for every 1000 people whilst Cyprus has 9.3. Belgium has 1.5 and France has 0.8 (2005 UN Figures)

MYTH: Britain is a 'soft touch' for asylum seekers.

FACT: The Government has tightened up immigration control. Ferry firms and hauliers who bring over stowaways are fined and extra immigration staff have been issued with heartbeat and breathing detectors.  

MYTH: All our asylum seekers are bogus.

FACT: The latest Home Office data shows that 40% of those applying last year were found to have a genuine reason, and were allowed to remain.

MYTH: All asylum seekers abuse the NHS.

FACT: The government has to look after asylum seekers, including medical needs, under international law.  (see Key Fact 8). Some asylum seekers are qualified nurses, doctors and consultants.

MYTH: All asylum-seekers live in luxury.

FACT: Single asylum seekers receive £35.31 per week, whilst married couples receive £69.57 per week. This pays for all non-housing costs, and is 70% of basic Income Support. When their asylum claim is decided the asylum seeker has to leave their furnished accommodation. They are not provided with mobile phones, DVD's, cars, or televisions.

MYTH: Asylum seekers don't want to work.

FACT: Many seekers have left behind businesses or skilled jobs in their home country and are keen to start work and earn money. Asylum seekers are not allowed to work, but if their case has not been decided within a year they can apply for permission to work. They can do voluntary work.

MYTH: Asylum seekers are taking our housing.

FACT: Rotherham has about 107,000 homes of which about 3,881 are empty. (See key facts 4, 5, and 6). Most of the 66 council properties were "hard-to-let", required extensive repair, or were not wanted by any one on the waiting list. About 180 private rented properties are used to accommodate the rest of Rotherham 's asylum seekers.

MYTH: Most actually come from safe countries.

FACT: During 2009 the top 5 countries that asylum seekers are coming from are Pakistan , Afghanistan , Iran , China and Somalia - countries where there has been serious conflict or grave human rights abuses. Most would prefer to stay at home, but have fled because of persecution.

MYTH: Asylum-seekers are linked to criminal gangs.

FACT: Statistics show that there has been no crime wave associated with asylum seekers or refugees