Startling new data has laid bare the immense geographic disparities in how asylum seekers are distributed across the United Kingdom, creating a dramatic postcode lottery for refugee support.
An exclusive analysis of Home Office figures reveals a deeply uneven picture, with a handful of local authorities shouldering the majority of the responsibility while vast swathes of the country host virtually no asylum seekers at all.
The Stark Numbers Behind the Crisis
The data shows that as of the end of December 2023, a staggering 106,000 asylum seekers were living in taxpayer-funded accommodation across the UK while awaiting decisions on their claims. This number has surged from approximately 50,000 at the end of 2021, highlighting the growing pressure on the system.
The Disparity Exposed: Who's Taking the Most?
The distribution map reveals extreme concentrations. The city of Glasgow emerged as supporting the highest number, with 4,745 asylum seekers. It was followed closely by:
- Bradford with 3,585
- Liverpool with 3,455
- Birmingham with 3,340
- Kent (as a county) with 3,330
These figures point to a system heavily reliant on a few, often already economically pressured, urban centres.
The Other Side of the Coin: Areas Taking the Least
In stark contrast, the analysis identified 125 local authorities across Great Britain that were housing fewer than 10 asylum seekers. Even more strikingly, 60 local authorities were recorded as housing not a single person under the asylum support system.
This list includes numerous affluent areas in the home counties and the south of England, raising serious questions about the fairness and sustainability of the current dispersal model.
Beyond the Raw Numbers: The Per Capita Picture
While major cities host the highest absolute numbers, the picture shifts when considering population size. Local authorities like Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, and Stoke-on-Trent are among those supporting the highest number of asylum seekers relative to their local population, demonstrating a significant per capita impact.
This detailed breakdown forces a critical national conversation about responsibility, integration, and the future of the UK's asylum dispersal system.
