Official figures reveal that 69,038 asylum seekers are now living in communities across the UK, up from 68,719 in May. This includes 4,790 failed asylum seekers. The number living in hotels has fallen to 16,021.
Dispersal Accommodation Numbers Grow
The asylum seekers are housed in houses, flats and bedsits, including large houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). The increase in 'dispersal accommodation' is expected to anger the public, with ministers told that communities will be unable to cope.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has vowed to close every migrant hotel by the next General Election.
Asylum Applications and Nationalities
Britain's asylum crisis was laid bare as 85,891 sought sanctuary in the UK last year, down from 106,130 in the previous 12 months. Of these, 33,949 people applied after crossing the Channel on a dinghy, while 34,999 claimed refuge after arriving on a study, work or visitor visa.
Of this group, 9,442 held a study visa, 14,151 arrived on a work visa, 6,392 used a visitor visa and 5,014 held other forms of leave. One in 10 asylum seekers were from Pakistan, with 8,305 in total. Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Indians and Nigerians were the most common nationalities to seek sanctuary after travelling to the UK legally.
Eritreans, Afghans, Iranians, Sudanese and Somalis have accounted for the biggest cohorts of small boat migrants so far this year.
Guidance Booklet for Asylum Seekers
In a startling admission in the booklet for asylum seekers, officials said: “Women do not need permission from a husband, father, brother or any other man to do any of these things.
“Men and women are treated equally by the law, by employers, by schools and by services like hospitals and the police. It is against the law to treat someone unfairly because of their gender.”
Migrants are also being told domestic abuse is illegal and that the age of consent in the UK is 16. Immigration chiefs warn: "Sex with someone under the age of 16 is a serious crime in the UK. There are no exceptions to this rule. Even if they say yes, it is still illegal. You could go to prison, lose your support and accommodation, and it will affect your asylum claim."
Migrants are told not to deny children food, or "cut or harm a girl's genitals". The advice even details what rape is, insisting that "consent" is needed in every sexual situation.
The document states: "This means even if you are married or in a relationship with someone, they must consent to sex every time.
"If you have sex with someone without their consent, this is called rape. Rape is a serious crime in the UK. You could go to prison, lose your support and accommodation, and it will affect your asylum claim."
Guidance published in the booklet for asylum seekers adds: "Someone can change their mind at any time, even if they said yes before.
"If someone is asleep, drunk, or unable to respond, they cannot consent."
