Skip to content

Refugees and Asylum Support and Guidance

Understanding Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Key Definitions

Migration is the movement of people from one place to another, to settle in a new location. It may be voluntary or involuntary. Reasons for migrating include economic, environmental and social issues. A migrant is a person who has moved away from their country of origin, usually for work, study or to join family. 

A refugee is a person who has been forced to leave their home country to escape war, persecution, violence or national disaster and is not able to return until conditions are safe again. A refugee has a legal status that provides them with rights and protections. Ukrainians arriving through the Homes for Ukraine scheme are referred to as guests as they stay in homes of UK sponsors or hosts. Although they do not have refugee status in the UK, they are refugees by definition. 

An asylum seeker is a person who is in the process of claiming protection in another country, having left their home country due to war, persecution, violence or national disaster. While waiting for a decision on their asylum claim, they will have limited rights in the country of asylum. Not every asylum seeker will be recognised as a refugee.

Facts about refugees and asylum seekers

  • The UK is home to around 0.5% of the world’s forcibly displaced refugees . This is less per capita than many of our European neighbours, such as France, Germany and the Netherlands.
  • People seeking asylum make up around 7% of the total number of migrants to the UK each year.
  • More than five times as many people migrate to the UK to study than claim asylum.
  • There are 669,380 residents in Gloucestershire. As of 30th June 2025, there were 2,665 refugees or asylum seekers entitled to support across the Homes for Ukraine, Resettlement, and Asylum routes. Overall, this equates to less than a half of one percent (0.40%, or 40 people per 10,000 settled Gloucestershire residents) . The UK average is 0.45%.
  • While more men have historically sought asylum in the UK, many men are later joined by their partners and families. In fact, 81% of adults granted refugee family reunion visas are women  , showing that refugee communities are diverse and include many women and families.
  • When asylum seekers arrive in the UK they are placed in asylum accommodation by the Home Office. Asylum accommodation is often basic, using budget hotels or repurposed buildings. People have no choice over where the Home Office places them, with rooms being small and often shared with others, with very little privacy.
  • Asylum seekers receive very limited support from the Government while their asylum claim is being processed:
    Those housed in hotels receive £9.95 per week, around £1.42 per day, to cover essential items like clothing, toiletries, phone credit, and transport.
    Those in dispersal accommodation receive £49.18 per week, which must cover food costs as well as all essential items. As a result, asylum seekers will often rely on charities for support.
  • Asylum seekers are not allowed to work while their claim is being processed due to Government rules. Once granted refugee status, they can work like anyone else and bring valuable skills and knowledge that benefit the whole of society. When legally employed, migrants directly support public services, with a particularly high proportion working in healthcare and in care roles.
  • People seeking asylum are not eligible for council housing while their claims are being assessed. Once someone is granted refugee status, they can apply for social housing or rent privately, just like any other eligible resident. Being granted refugee status does not give automatic priority to social housing. All social housing applications are assessed based on need.

For more information please visit - Refugee Support | Gloucestershire County Council

Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers - GARAS is a local charity with a huge amount of experience helping those who have come to the UK due to war or persecution to make sense of life here: whether it is for just a short time or longer. There is a team of workers who can provide you with any support you might need.

Please visit GARAS for more information.
Telephone: 01452 550528
General enquiries: info@garas.org.uk

Homes For Ukraine Scheme

The government has launched its "Homes for Ukraine and Refugees" scheme being led by The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Under the scheme people in the UK will be able to nominate an individual or family to stay with them rent-free, or in another property, for at least six months.

Charities, businesses and community groups will also be able to apply with households offered £600 a month as a ‘thank you’. Checks will be made on all hosts by the government and Ukrainian applicants will also undergo some security checks. Ukrainians welcomed into this scheme will be eligible to work, access state benefits and public services for three years.

If you have a spare room you could help a refugee and receive £600 per month. Short-term placements last up to 3 months while your guests find employment and long-term accommodation. You’ll get wrap around support from the Homes for Refugees team to help you every step of the way. If you could become a Homes for Refugees host, we need to hear from you today. Please email HFR@gloucestershire.gov.uk or visitwww.gloucestershire.gov.uk/homes-for-refugees for more information.

To find out more about the scheme and register your interest visit: How to sponsor Ukrainian refugees and offer them a home in the UK.

The Homes for Ukraine sponsor guidance outlines important information for sponsors including responsibilities of sponsors and how sponsors may support their guests.

There is also an FAQ from the government on the Homes for Ukraine scheme which covers many questions you may have.

The Government is working with a number of charities and organisations to support Sponsors and Guests for the Homes for Ukraine scheme and RESET offers support and guidance on the application and matching process, including some helpful webinars and toolkits for sponsors.

Gloucestershire County Council information

Gloucestershire County Council is also providing guidance and links to national and local county information.

Gloucestershire Homes for Ukraine sponsor guide

Guidance from the Gloucestershire Housing Partnership for those who have registered as sponsors in the Homes for Ukraine Scheme in Gloucestershire. FAQs for Hosts and Sponsors | Gloucestershire County Council

Welcome: a guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK

The government has created a guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK. It also includes specific information for those arriving on the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Translated guidance for Ukrainians arriving in the UK

The government has also provided Ukrainian and Russian translations to the welcome guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK.

Gloucestershire refugee support organisations

Financial support for those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine

People arriving in the UK from Ukraine because of the Russian invasion can apply for financial help immediately and get extra help to find work.
Find out more about the financial support available