West Sussex County Council
People seeking asylum in the UK can apply for asylum support if they are destitute. The Home Office has a statutory obligation to provide support including accommodation to destitute asylum seekers whilst their claims are being considered.
Due to the rise in the numbers of people seeking asylum in the UK and the volume of applications to be processed, hotels, alongside other types of accommodation, are being used across the country as additional contingency accommodation.
Where people have submitted a claim for asylum to the Home Office, they are recognised as asylum seekers and are waiting for their asylum application to be assessed.
Under international law, anyone has the right to apply for asylum in any country that has signed the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, and to remain there until the authorities have assessed their claim. This is a legal process.
An asylum seeker is someone who has left their country, often suddenly, because they are faced with persecution, war or violence and cannot get protection there. Many have fled war-torn countries, were trafficked to the UK or faced persecution and violence. They have temporary accommodation until their asylum request has been processed.
The Home Office are responsible for processing claims for asylum and aim to process those applications within six months.
Where asylum is granted, people are recognised as refugees under the 1951 Refugee Convention and are allowed to remain in the UK for five years. At the end of five years, subject to the outcome of any review and to the policies in place at the time, people can seek indefinite leave to remain.
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