People move to Portsmouth under a range of different circumstances and the council has different responsibilities depending on people’s situations.
The below information tries to explain how that can work.
Immigrants or migrants
A migrant is anyone who chooses to move from one area to another to live, work, study, or join family. Immigrant is a more specific term for someone who has moved permanently to another country. Migrants and immigrants contribute significantly to the UK economy and society in various ways, including starting businesses, paying taxes and filling skills gaps, such as in health and care roles. Most migrants have a level of interaction with the council similar to other Portsmouth residents and aren’t entitled to or in need of any specific additional support.
People seeking asylum (or asylum seeker)
A person seeking asylum (or asylum seeker) is someone who has left their home country and asked for protection in another because they fear persecution, war or violence. They’ve arrived in another country, made themselves known to the authorities there, and are using their legal right to apply for asylum. They are waiting for the government to make a decision on their claim. During this time, they can be placed in temporary housing by the Home Office which is part of national government.
In Portsmouth the Home Office places people seeking asylum in contingency accommodation or dispersal accommodation. Contingency accommodation is usually hotels and the Home Office gives people staying there food and £9.95 a week, that’s about £1.42 a day, to cover essentials like toiletries. Dispersal accommodation is usually homes in local communities and the Home Office gives people staying there £49.18 a week to cover food, clothing and toiletries. The Government website has full details of what the Home Office gives people seeking asylum. The Home Office does not allow people seeking asylum to work.
Sometimes charities will provide people seeking asylum with other items or support.
As the Home Office is responsible for people seeking asylum, councils have very little involvement with them, we only get involved with some responsibilities like social care, such as making sure children are safe.
Find out more about asylum accommodation in Portsmouth
Once someone’s asylum claim is complete, if it is accepted, they become a refugee. If it’s rejected, they will be required to leave the UK.
Refugees
A refugee is someone whose claim for asylum has been accepted. This means the government agrees they would be unsafe if they returned to their home country. Refugees have the right to live, work and access services – just like any other resident.
Refugee status does not give someone any additional benefits from the council; they will be treated the same as anyone else and assessed based on their needs as an individual.
As a council we want everyone living in Portsmouth to be contributing members of our society, to help with this we work with community groups, faith leaders, and various charities including City of Sanctuary to help people integrate.
Find out more about our work with the City of Sanctuary charity.