Challenging Misinformation About People Seeking Asylum
In recent years, public discourse around people seeking asylum has become increasingly polarising and shaped by myths, stereotypes, and misinformation.
This webpage is intended to provide objective, factual information commonly raised and circulating misinformation.
People seeking asylum are individuals fleeing persecution, conflict, or danger in search of safety and dignity. Yet too often, they are misrepresented in media and public debate. False narratives not only fuel division and fear—they also undermine our shared values of compassion, justice, and human rights.
Here, we provide clear, evidence-based information to counter common myths and misconceptions.
Definitions
Refugee status and rights – a person who has been granted ‘refugee status’ outside of their country of origin, due to fear of persecution, for reasons such as race, religion, nationality, membership of a certain social or political group.
Refugees have the same rights as any other British Citizen, including the right to work and to claim benefits.
Asylum Seeker or person seeking asylum – A person seeking asylum is an individual who has left their country of origin and formally applied for asylum in another country due to reasons such as fear of persecution. They will have an asylum claim in the UK system; this can take many years to be decided. If an asylum claim has been granted, they are known as refugees.
Migrant – A migrant is a generic term to describe anyone who has moved from one country to another country for reasons such as to find work.
Why have people seeking asylum been placed in asylum accommodation?
The Home Office is currently using a number of sites across the country as a temporary and emergency response to accommodate people seeking asylum.
Who makes the decision on where people seeking asylum are placed?
The Home Office makes the decision on which properties and locations are used. It has contracted a company called Clearsprings Ready Homes to find and manage the accommodation. Devon County Council is a consultee in the procurement of properties and ongoing management is by the Home Office and contracted partners.
How long will the individuals have been in the country for? And where will they have come from?
Some of those seeking asylum may be new to the country, and others may have been in the UK for some time while awaiting a decision on their asylum claim.
The number of refugees and people seeking asylum varies depending on what is happening in the world.
How are people seeking asylum being supported?
The Home Office will provide basic support including food and toiletries if people are living in a hotel. The Home Office has contracted Migrant Help to offer additional support.
Will we see single people or families move into the area?
Asylum accommodation can be used to accommodate both single adults and families.
In Devon, there is accommodation for both families and single occupants from a range of countries. The decision to move people into Home Office accommodation is made by the Home Office and is based on need and pressures within the asylum system.
Will people seeking asylum have access to local health services?
Yes, they can access local health services in the same way that any person living in Devon can.
Can people seeking asylum claim welfare and other benefits?
People seeking asylum are not able to claim welfare benefits, nor are they allowed to work.
Those living in hotel accommodation receive £8.86 per week from the government. People in Dispersal accommodation receive £49.18 per week from the government – this money is to cover food, clothing, toiletries and other essential items.
Will school-age children be placed in local schools?
Children placed in Devon will be given access to education. This could be through attendance at local schools and colleges or through other ways, depending on the needs of those placed here and the capacity of local schools and colleges.
How long will people seeking asylum stay in Devon?
People seeking asylum will remain in Home Office accommodation until their asylum claim is processed. This can vary from months to years.
How will the safety of people seeking asylum and the community be maintained?
On arrival, Clearsprings will give all individuals an induction about the local community and what is expected of them while they are staying in Devon.
The police will respond to any reports or concerns, as they would normally. The police have spoken to other areas who have accommodated people seeking asylum and the feedback suggests there have been low levels of concern during their stay.
If you have a crime to report, please contact the police in the usual ways by either calling 101 or using their online crime reporting form. As always, if you or someone else is in immediate danger or if the crime is happening right now then call 999.
If you have any questions about the provision of the hotel, please contact the Home Office by emailing public.enquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk or by calling 020 7035 4848.
How many refugees are living in Devon?
The table below describes people living in Devon in June 2025 who have arrived on refugee resettlement programmes or as people seeking asylum.
| Homes for Ukraine – (arrivals) | Afghan Resettlement Programme (total) (population) | Supported Asylum (total) (population) | All 3 pathways (total) | Population | Percentage of population (%) | |
| East Devon | 462 | 38 | 194 | 694 | 158,239 | 0.44% |
| Exeter | 330 | 58 | 23 | 411 | 138,399 | 0.30% |
| Mid Devon | 327 | 25 | 0 | 352 | 84,993 | 0.41% |
| North Devon | 239 | 85 | 4 | 328 | 101,222 | 0.32% |
| South Hams | 286 | 63 | 17 | 366 | 92,148 | 0.40% |
| Teignbridge | 383 | 34 | 19 | 436 | 138,548 | 0.31% |
| Torridge | 186 | 0 | 6 | 192 | 69,841 | 0.27% |
| West Devon | 217 | 20 | 0 | 237 | 58,923 | 0.40% |
Immigration system statistics data tables – GOV.UK
Why does Devon have to support people seeking asylum?
Every council in the UK has a responsibility to work with the Home Office to support people seeking asylum.
Who provides accommodation to people seeking asylum in Devon?
This is the responsibility of the Home Office.
They work with private companies who find privately rented accommodation in local areas.
Devon County Council does not pay for this accommodation. All funding is centrally provided, including living costs. Find out more information here: Home Office accommodation for people seeking asylum
Why are people seeking asylum and refugees prioritised for social housing?
This is false – refugees are not given preferential treatment for social housing. They must meet criteria like any other applicant registering for social housing.
People seeking asylum are not eligible for social housing.
Is it true that people seeking asylum are given free things like phones, cigarettes/tobacco and clothes in Devon?
Some people may be given donated items such as phones and clothes by local and national charities. Devon County Council does not provide these items.
They are not given cigarettes or tobacco.
How much money does a person seeking asylum get per week?
Those living in hotel accommodation receive only £8.86 each week from the government.
People in dispersal accommodation receive £49.18 per week from the government – this money is to cover food, clothing, toiletries and other essential items.
Are people seeking asylum claiming benefits?
No. People seeking asylum are not allowed to claim benefits.
Why are local authorities in Devon removing Union Flags and the St George Cross from public display?
- Safety Concerns
Councils have cited safety risks as the primary reason for removing flags and bunting. Flags attached to lamp posts, street furniture, or across roads can:
- Obstruct visibility for drivers and pedestrians
- Pose hazards if poorly secured or attached to infrastructure not designed to bear weight
- Risk pulling down poles or causing accidents, especially with high-sided vehicles
Councils routinely conduct stress tests on street furniture and remove unauthorised attachments ahead of upgrades or formal events.
- Unauthorised Installations and Policy Compliance
Local authorities have policies governing which flags may be flown from council buildings and public infrastructure, and on what occasions. Flags installed without permission are often removed as part of routine maintenance or policy enforcement.
- Concerns Over Political Associations and Community Impact
Some flag displays have been linked to an online campaign called “Operation Raise the Colours”, which is backed by far-right figures such as Tommy Robinson and Britain First. This movement has encouraged widespread flag installations, often near migrant accommodation or civic buildings, raising concerns about:
- Anti-immigration messaging
- Community division
- Far-right symbolism
In some cases, flags and painted symbols have been described by residents and officials as vandalism or intimidating, especially when placed near sensitive locations like Islamic centres.
- Legal and Regulatory Obligations
Councils are legally required to remove unauthorised road markings and graffiti, including painted flags on roundabouts, crossings, and buildings. These actions are part of maintaining public order and upholding traffic and civic regulations.