Asylum seekers and refugees

Fact checks about refugees and asylum seekers in the UK

22 September 2023

It’s not true that 50% of child asylum seekers turn out to be adults

Reform UK party leader Richard Tice wrongly claimed in a social media post that 50% of children seeking asylum were found to be adults.

Read more…
It’s not true that 50% of child asylum seekers turn out to be adults
25 August 2023

BBC article overstated increase in asylum application withdrawals

The BBC has corrected an article which claimed only 60 asylum cases were withdrawn over a 12 month period after being contacted by Full Fact.

Read more…
BBC article overstated increase in asylum application withdrawals
24 August 2023

The government is spending £6 million a day on hotel accommodation for asylum seekers

Lee Anderson appeared to suggest the government is spending £7 million a day on hotels for asylum seekers.

Read more…
The government is spending £6 million a day on hotel accommodation for asylum seekers
15 August 2023

The number of asylum seekers in hotels has increased

The number of “legacy backlog” cases has fallen over the year to date, while the number of asylum seekers being housed in hotels has increased.

Read more…
The number of asylum seekers in hotels has increased
11 August 2023

Current safe and legal routes to the UK do not involve applying for asylum

The Prime Minister claimed in a video that he is ensuring the only way to come to the UK for asylum will be via safe and legal routes. We looked …

Read more…
Current safe and legal routes to the UK do not involve applying for asylum
4 July 2023

Immigration minister’s claims about refugees in Scotland need clarification

The Home Office declined to comment on what Robert Jenrick MP meant when he said the SNP “does not house refugees in Scotland”. Whether he was exaggerating or not, it …

Read more…
Immigration minister’s claims about refugees in Scotland need clarification
6 June 2023

The total asylum initial decision backlog has increased since December

The home secretary’s claim that the backlog is down by 17,000 refers only to applications made before 28 June 2022.

Read more…
The total asylum initial decision backlog has increased since December
17 May 2023

How many refugees does the UK resettle compared to other European countries?

Robert Jenrick said that the UK is second only to Sweden in the number of refugees accepted through resettlement schemes. This is true of European countries but doesn’t tell the …

Read more…
How many refugees does the UK resettle compared to other European countries?
10 May 2023

You can’t apply for asylum in the UK through the UNHCR

The UN’s refugee agency has clarified that there is no way for people to apply for asylum in the UK through the agency, after comments made by the Home Secretary.

Read more…
You can’t apply for asylum in the UK through the UNHCR
23 March 2023

Labour MP wrong to say ‘there are no safe routes’ to enter UK

Khalid Mahmood wrongly claimed in Parliament that routes for people from Hong Kong and Afghanistan have been closed.

Read more…
Labour MP wrong to say ‘there are no safe routes’ to enter UK

Full Fact fights bad information

Bad information ruins lives. It promotes hate, damages people’s health, and hurts democracy. You deserve better.