Asylum seekers and refugees

Stoke-on-Trent is a cluster area used by the National Asylum Support Service for the dispersal of asylum seekers.  Accommodation in the city is provided by private landlords.  The local authority no longer contracts with the National Asylum Support Service to provide housing. 

However, asylum seekers who are under 18 are not supported by the service. They are our responsibility and we support them. There are only about 10 people in Stoke-on-Trent at the moment who we support in this way. If an asylum seeker aged under 18 arrives in Stoke-on-Trent, we will work with this person and other organisations to find them somewhere to live and decide what they are going to do. 

At the moment, there are about 700 asylum seekers living in the city. 

Who are asylum seekers?An asylum seeker is someone who has applied to the Home Office for asylum, so that they can remain in this country, and are waiting to hear back about their application. They are not allowed to work.

Who are refugees?
This is someone who the Government agree can't return home because they are at risk of being seriously mistreated in their own country. This could be because of their race, religion, nationality or because of their political views.

They are granted refugee status which means that they are allowed to stay in this country and work. This status lasts for five years and then they have to reapply.  

More informationClick on the links at the top right hand side of the screen under 'more pages' for more information about this subject.