West Lindsey home to multiple asylum seekers

West Lindsey is home to multiple asylum seekers claiming to have fled conflict or faced persecution in other countries, figures show, as the UK prepares to welcome more people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
The sign outside the Home Office in Westminster, London, following the resignation of Amber Rudd who resigned as Home Secretary amid claims she misled Parliament over targets for removing illegal migrants.The sign outside the Home Office in Westminster, London, following the resignation of Amber Rudd who resigned as Home Secretary amid claims she misled Parliament over targets for removing illegal migrants.
The sign outside the Home Office in Westminster, London, following the resignation of Amber Rudd who resigned as Home Secretary amid claims she misled Parliament over targets for removing illegal migrants.

West Lindsey is home to multiple asylum seekers claiming to have fled conflict or faced persecution in other countries, figures show, as the UK prepares to welcome more people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

The Government has launched a new sponsorship scheme, which will let ordinary people, charities and businesses provide a safe space for Ukrainians who do not have family ties in the UK.

Home Office data shows West Lindsey was home to two asylum seekers – people seeking sanctuary while applying for the right to be recognised as a refugee – in December.

In 2021, asylum applications in the UK increased by 63% to 48,540 – the highest number in almost two decades.

And since 2014, more than 20,000 recognised refugees have been given homes in the UK via resettlement schemes, including the Vulnerable Person's Resettlement Scheme, initially established to support those fleeing the Syrian war.

While awaiting a decision, asylum seekers are unable to work but can be entitled to financial assistance and accommodation through what is known as Section 95 support.

Around 54,700 asylum seekers across the UK were receiving Section 95 support at the end of last year, including all of those represented in the figures for West Lindsey.

Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council said the national increase in asylum applications was unsurprising, because "where there is war, conflict and violence, there will be people desperately seeking safety."

He called on the Government to tackle a rise in people waiting over six months for a Home Office decision, adding: “The UK’s response must be an asylum system that is fair, humane and orderly – a system that processes claims in an efficient and timely manner, granting protection to those who need it and for those who don’t, enabling them to return safely and with dignity to the country from which they came."

The data shows disparities around the placement of people within local authority areas, with asylum seekers representing fewer than one in every 100,000 people in some areas, compared to 705 in every 100,000 in Glasgow.

In West Lindsey there was the equivalent of two asylum seekers for every 100,000 residents in December.

Figures for both refugees and asylum seekers could be higher as not all existing resettlement schemes and forms of support are represented in the data.

A Home Office spokeswoman said the Government had a "proud history" of supporting people in need and protecting the most vulnerable.

She said it is working with councils to ensure asylum seekers are distributed fairly around the UK, adding: “Our new plan for immigration will fix the broken asylum system, making it fair to those who need our help and firm on those who abuse our hospitality.”

The figures do not include those resettled via the recently established Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme.