In line with Wigan Council’s aims to promote better public understanding of asylum seekers and refugees, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions to highlight the facts around asylum seekers.
We hope these key questions and answers help you to understand who asylum seekers and refugees are, what the difference is between them, and why and where they are placed in the borough, and what support is available to them.
What is an asylum seeker?
An asylum seeker is a person who has left their home country. They seek protection from persecution and serious human rights violations in another country. They have not yet been legally recognised as a refugee. They are waiting for a decision on their asylum claim. It is a human right to seek asylum.
What is a refugee?
In the UK, a person becomes a refugee when the government agrees that an individual who has applied for Asylum, meets the definition in the Refugee Convention they will ‘recognise’ that person as a refugee and issue them with refugee status documentation.
Where do asylum seekers come from?
Asylum seekers come from all around the world and are often from countries affected most severely by war and political instability. In the year ending 2024, the top five countries people were seeking asylum from were Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Bangladesh and Syria. In terms of the number of asylum applications per person, the UK ranks 19th highest in Europe.
What do asylum seekers live on? Is it costing us in local taxes?
Wigan Council does not pay any financial support to asylum seekers. All support comes from central government.
Almost all asylum seekers are not allowed to work. They rely on state support, which can be as little as £7 a day.
According to research carried out by the refugee council, most asylum seekers do not know about welfare benefits before they arrive and have no expectation that they would receive financial support.
Can asylum seekers work?
Asylum seekers typically are not allowed to work in the UK, unless under exceptional circumstances for instance, if they are suited for a job on the government's Shortage Occupation List. Behind the scenes, Wigan Council works closely to support government agencies to identify and prevent illegal working.
What positive benefits does this country get from immigration?
Refugees contribute greatly to the UK. They pay taxes and create jobs. They also support the local economy by starting new businesses. Asylum-seeking children contribute very positively to schools across the country. This in turn enables more successful integration of families into local communities.
Has Wigan Borough been specially selected to host asylum seekers?
Wigan Borough has hosted asylum seekers since 2000. And, like all areas in the country, the borough should play a fair and balanced role in resettling asylum seekers/ refugees within the community and in liaison with other councils in the area. Our Resettlement team is dedicated to supporting non-British Nationals to re-settle within the borough.
How is it decided where asylum seekers live in the borough?
The Home Office has a statutory duty to provide accommodation for those seeking asylum.
Where asylum seekers are allocated is a decision taken by the Home Office and central government. Wigan Council has no control over this.
In previous years, hotel provisions, such as The Britannia Hotel and Kilhey Court hotel in Standish, have been used as emergency accommodations for asylum seekers within the borough. However, as of 2025, these provisions are no longer in use, and there are no imminent plans to utilise hotels in the borough.
Do asylum seekers get beneficial treatment for healthcare?
Asylum seekers have the same rights as any UK citizen to access health care and children's education. Migrants, including refugees, make an enormous contribution to the NHS, which relies heavily on foreign labour.
People who are seeking asylum have often been through very traumatic and challenging times, meaning that they have significant physical and mental health needs.
They may also have come from countries that do not have national health services, or public health services, like ours, which means they may not be up-to-date with the required vaccinations, etc. to keep them and local residents safe.
It is essential, and required under Home Office guidance, that people seeking asylum are provided with health services to support with these things.
In Wigan Borough, this is a specialist service which is funded and managed completely separately. It does not take any services away from local residents.
Are Refugees/ Migrants prioritised for Council Housing over British Citizens?
Housing applications are assessed in accordance with Wigan Council’s Allocation policy. Refugees/ Migrants are not awarded priority points based on their nationality or ethnicity, points are awarded based on housing need and an applicant’s individual circumstances. All applicants need to provide documentation showing they are eligible to apply for social housing if they are not a British Citizen.