Advertisement
Housing

Asylum seekers forced into homelessness, charity finds

Refugee Actions study finds asylum seekers left in abject poverty by Home Office delays to legitimate support

Asylum seeking families in the UK are falling in poverty and homelessness because the Home Office is wrongly denying assistance, according to a new report.

The research by the Refugee Action charity, based on the detailed analysis of more than 300 cases, shows asylum seekers are not getting the support they are entitled to, or are struggling with long delays to support.

Asylum seekers are waiting an average of almost two months (58 days) for housing and the pittance – £5.28 a day – they are entitled to for living costs, known as Section 95 support.

Many the organisation spoke to have been living on the streets and have struggled to eat a proper meal in several weeks. Some required counselling after contemplating suicide.

The majority of applicants for Section 95 support are initially refused, according to the charity’s research. But 92% of people who then challenge the decision have their support approved, showing an unnecessary period of delay in almost all cases.

The government must take urgent action to prevent some of the most vulnerable slipping through the cracks

“Our research exposes the appalling treatment of families and individuals who have escaped war and persecution abroad, only to be badly let down here in Britain,” said chief executive Stephen Hale.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertisement

“The failure of the Home Office to follow their own policies has frequently left people homeless, an unable to feed themselves and their families.

“The government must take urgent action to prevent some of the most vulnerable people in our society slipping through the cracks of the system.”

Refugee Action wants the government to apply rules regarding support for asylum seekers consistently and transparently. The organisation also called on asylum seekers to be given the right to work, as in the case in most European countries.

Photo: Jazzmany/shutterstock.com

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Never miss an issue

Take advantage of our special subscription offer. Subscribe from just £9.99 and never miss an issue.

Recommended for you

Read All
Labour is 'missing a trick' by not taxing housing wealth, expert says
UK houses from above
Housing

Labour is 'missing a trick' by not taxing housing wealth, expert says

Young people quitting London over housing crisis: 'Owning a home is a distant dream'
London skyline
Housing crisis

Young people quitting London over housing crisis: 'Owning a home is a distant dream'

Introduce inspections for temporary housing to stop children living in horror homes, Labour told
a child at the window of their home
Homelessness

Introduce inspections for temporary housing to stop children living in horror homes, Labour told

Tenants win more than £250,000 of rent back from billionaire landlord in five-year legal battle
Somerford Grove Renters in Hackney
Renting

Tenants win more than £250,000 of rent back from billionaire landlord in five-year legal battle

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue