At Barnsley City of Sanctuary, we believe that people deserve safety — and that clear information helps everyone feel more confident and reassured.

This page offers straightforward facts about migration and asylum, both across the UK and here in Barnsley. If you’ve had questions or concerns, you’re not alone — and we’re here to help you make sense of it all.

What’s Happening Nationally?

• In 2024, about 108,000 people applied for asylum in the UK. This is far lower than in some other European countries. For comparison, Germany received around 330,000 asylum applications in the same year — more than three times the number in the UK. Other countries like France, Spain, and Italy also received significantly more applications than the UK.
• The UK government carefully reviews every case. Some people are granted safety straight away; others may be refused and asked to leave.
• Whilst people await a decision, they are banned from working. They are given asylum support which is £7 per day, this must cover all food, travel, toiletries, clothes and phone data. People are unable to claim any other benefits.
• People seeking asylum are placed in asylum accommodation, which is completely separate from council housing. It is not provided by the local council and is managed by private contractors, appointed by the UK Home Office.
• Most people seeking asylum arrive through safe routes like resettlement, humanitarian schemes or family reunion, though a minority risk dangerous journeys when no safe options are available.
• Many safe routes to the UK do not exist or have been shut down, for instance there is no general visa for claiming asylum and schemes for resettlement (like for Syrians or Afghans) are extremely limited. That leaves many in desperate situations with no safe way to reach the UK, even if they have family or support networks here.
• The asylum process is managed and funded by central government, not local councils.

What About Here in Barnsley?

• Barnsley currently supports around 267 asylum seekers — a small number compared to the town’s population of over 240,000.
• Decisions about immigration, asylum, and where people are housed are made by central government, not local councils.
• There are no asylum hotels in Barnsley. People live in shared homes, usually for a short time, while they wait for their case to be decided.
• Most asylum seekers in Barnsley are individuals or families who want to contribute, settle safely, and live peacefully alongside others.
• They have no right to work while waiting for decisions and receive only minimal support (around £7 per day for essentials like food and toiletries).

Common Questions, Honest Answers