Understanding asylum support in Somerset

Information to help separate myths from facts on what is happening in Somerset

Introduction

In 2022, local authorities were mandated by the Home Office to support The Widening Asylum Dispersal Scheme. As a result, the Home Office are using a variety of accommodation sites to accommodate people seeking asylum. This includes sites in Somerset.

Regionally, the Home Office sub-contracts Clearsprings Ready Homes to procure and manage properties across the Southwest; the aim is to reduce the reliance on hotel use into more cost effective, dispersal accommodation sites.

Why people come to the UK

People seeking asylum come from many countries. Some have children and may have experienced significant trauma when leaving their home country for safety. They may be fleeing war, persecution, or violence. Many come to the UK because of family ties, language, or historical connections.

In mid-2025, there were 117.3 million forcibly displaced people worldwide – these are people who have been displaced due to conflict, persecution, violence or human rights violations for example. The majority (63%) are internally displaced within their own countries. Out of the 117.3 million, only 7% are claiming asylum – this amounts to 8.4 million people[1]. 71% of those who are displaced are hosted in low and middle income countries, and 66% lived in neighbouring countries.

Globally, the main countries where people were seeking asylum from were Sudan, Colombia, Syria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Yemen, and Afghanistan and Ukraine.

The UK ranks on 17th in Europe in terms of the number of asylum applications per head of population.

In Somerset, there were only 326 individuals receiving asylum support in Somerset – 0.3% of the total number of people seeking asylum in the UK, and 0.06% of the total population in Somerset.

We are a county known for our compassion and supporting others who are going through difficult times, and we choose to welcome and support all those who are displaced and seeking sanctuary in Somerset.

Definitions

You can read about the differences between refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, including their rights and legal status in the UK on our Welcoming displaced people in Somerset page.

Important facts

  • UK total: Around 150,000 people.
  • Around 326 people seeking asylum are currently in Somerset – that is about 0.06% of the local population.
  • Accommodation is arranged by the Home Office, not Somerset Council.
  • A contractor called Clearsprings Ready Homes manages the accommodation.
  • People seeking asylum are not eligible to work or claim benefits.
  • People living in hotels receive a small weekly allowance of £9.95 per person for essentials.

More myths and facts about asylum seekers

There is a lot of misinformation about people seeking asylum. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions and myths which often circulate online.

Myth 1

Somerset has a high number of people seeking asylum.

Fact

It does not. Most recent data shows there were only 326 individuals receiving asylum support in Somerset  – 0.3% of the total number of people seeking asylum in the UK and 0.06% of the total population in Somerset.

Myth 2

People seeking asylum get priority for social housing.

Fact

This is false – refugees are not given preferential treatment for social housing. They must meet criteria like any other applicant registering for social housing. People seeking asylum are not eligible for social housing.

Myth 3

People seeking asylum receive free items like phones and cigarettes.

Fact

Somerset Council does not provide these items. Some charities may donate essentials like phones or clothes. Cigarettes and tobacco are not provided.

Myth 4

People seeking asylum claim benefits.

Fact

People seeking asylum cannot claim welfare benefits and are not allowed to work. The Home Office allocate £9.95 per week for people staying in hotels and £49.18 per week for people in dispersal accommodation (like houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

Myth 5

Somerset Council pays for asylum accommodation.

Fact

Accommodation and living costs are funded by the Home Office, which works with private companies. Somerset Council does not pay for this.

Myth 6

People seeking asylum stay forever.

Fact

People seeking asylum will remain in Home Office accommodation until their asylum claim is processed. This can vary from months to years. 

Fact 1

Will people seeking asylum have access to local health services?

Yes, they can access local health services in the same way that any person living in Somerset can.

Fact 2

Will school-age children be placed in local schools?

Children placed in Somerset will be given access to education. This could be through attendance at local schools and colleges or through other ways, depending on the needs of those placed here and the capacity of local schools and colleges.

Fact 3

Why does Somerset have to support people seeking asylum?

Children placed in Somerset will be given access to education. This could be through attendance at local schools and colleges or through other ways, depending on the needs of those placed here and the capacity of local schools and colleges.

Your questions and answers


Seeking asylum is not illegal – every human being has a legal right to seek asylum under the 1951 Refugee Convention.

The UK currently has no safe or legal routes to seek asylum, therefore people have to cross the UK border in order to submit an asylum claim. Under the 1951 Refugee Convention, people do not have to claim asylum in the first safe country they reach, contrary to popular belief.

The main reason why asylum seekers come to the UK is because they have family ties here. This covers more than 50% of cases. Other factors that people will take into account are more practical. For example, if you speak the language, you have more chance of being able to find a job and you can navigate everyday tasks like understanding public transport or going shopping.

It is also not uncommon for people seeking asylum to state their belief that the UK is a safe, tolerant and democratic country, and refer to previous links between their own country and the UK.

There is no legal requirement for any person seeking asylum to make an asylum claim in the first country the pass through.

The Home Office is currently using a number of sites across the country as a temporary and emergency response to accommodate people seeking asylum.

The UK government has a duty to accommodate people seeking asylum as part of the 1951 Refugee Convention, which determines the rights of refugees at an international level, with the aim of protecting basic human rights when fleeing persecution and conflict. As part of this, people should also not be punished for irregular entry as part of this convention.


The Home Office makes the decision on which properties and locations are used.

It has contracted a company called Clearsprings Ready Homes to find and manage the accommodation. Somerset Council is consulted but the procurement and ongoing management is by the Home Office and contracted partners.

Somerset Council does not pay for this accommodation. All funding is centrally provided, including living costs.

Some of those seeking asylum may be new to the country, and others may have been in the UK for some time while awaiting a decision on their asylum claim. Many people wait years for their asylum claim to be processed.

The top five countries of origin for people seeking asylum in the UK were Pakistan, Eritrea, Bangladesh Afghanistan and Iran, countries which have experienced ongoing wars, civil conflicts and extreme natural disasters.

The Home Office will provide basic support which may include food and toiletries if people are living in a hotel. The Home Office has contracted Migrant Help to offer additional support.

Those living in hotel accommodation receive £9.95 per week from the government. People in Dispersal accommodation receive £49.18 per week from the government – this money is to cover food, clothing, toiletries and other essential items.

In Somerset, a multi-agency group has been organised with key partners across the County. This includes the NHS, Avon and Somerset Police, Somerset Council, town and parish councils, Voluntary and Community Sector organisations and other government bodies to co-ordinate support and respond to emerging needs.

The Welcome to All project is also being delivered by Thrive to support the needs of Displaced Communities in Somerset.


Asylum accommodation can be used to accommodate both single adults and families.

In Somerset, there is accommodation for both families and single occupants from a range of countries. The decision to move people into Home Office accommodation is made by the Home Office and is based on need and pressures within the asylum system.

On arrival, ClearSprings will give all individuals an induction about the local community and what is expected of them while they are staying in Somerset.

The police will respond to any reports or concerns, as they would normally. The police have spoken to other areas who have accommodated people seeking asylum and the feedback suggests there have been low levels of concern during their stay.

If you have a crime to report, please contact the police in the usual ways by either calling 101 or using their online crime reporting form. As always, if you or someone else is in immediate danger or if the crime is happening right now then dial 999.

If you have any questions about the provision of the hotel, please contact the Home Office by emailing public.enquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk or by phoning 020 7035 4848.