Asylum seekers and refugees

Fact checks about refugees and asylum seekers in the UK

24 August 2020

Comparing tax dodging and benefits for people seeking asylum

MP Zarah Sultana claimed that the super-rich and large corporations dodge £90 billion in tax every year. This is based on an estimate for the tax gap which is much …

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Comparing tax dodging and benefits for people seeking asylum
18 August 2020

It’s not true that migrants get a free TV licence

A widely shared post on Facebook incorrectly claims migrants who arrive in Britain receive a free TV licence, while pensioners have to pay for one.

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It’s not true that migrants get a free TV licence
28 August 2019

Can refugees enter the UK illegally?

Refugees can’t be penalised for entering illegally if they are claiming asylum and coming from a place where their life or freedom are threatened.

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Can refugees enter the UK illegally?
16 August 2019

How many refugees does the UK take in?

The UK “resettled” more refugees than any other EU country in 2017 and 2018, but several EU countries have granted asylum to more refugees overall in that time than the …

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How many refugees does the UK take in?
31 January 2019

This image on benefits for pensioners and refugees is not correct

This viral image claims that pensioners can collect just a fifth of the benefits ‘illegal immigrants’ and refugees can. But how much can each group really get?

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This image on benefits for pensioners and refugees is not correct
17 January 2019

Do refugees have to stay in the first safe country they reach?

Refugees are not required to seek asylum in the first safe country they reach. But under EU law they can sometimes be returned to the first safe EU country they …

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Do refugees have to stay in the first safe country they reach?
11 January 2019

We factchecked a viral video on asylum seekers

Asylum seekers have to be destitute to get support and, if eligible, can’t choose what type of housing they get.

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We factchecked a viral video on asylum seekers
24 April 2018

How many child asylum seekers are found to be adults?

Two thirds of assessed child asylum seekers, but a small proportion of all child asylum seekers, are found to be over 18.

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How many child asylum seekers are found to be adults?
19 April 2018

Who gets more, pensioners or refugees?

This viral image claims that pensioners can collect just a fifth of what ‘illegal immigrants’ and refugees can. But how much can each group really get?

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Who gets more, pensioners or refugees?
23 February 2018

Two UK schemes have resettled 11,000 Syrian refugees

The government has a target to take in 23,000 refugees by 2020 from the Middle East and North Africa.

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Two UK schemes have resettled 11,000 Syrian refugees

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