Myth Buster

Here we expose some myths about migration and confront the exaggerations, hyperbole and outright lies propagated by the extreme right and, in some cases, commentators who should know better.

Myth: Migrants bring crime to our streets

THE FACTS: There is no evidence for this! Misleading information from search engines and social media has led people in the UK to believe incorrect information regarding crimes committed by asylum seekers.

Figures are often misquoted or unreliably sourced, and as a result people have misinformed perceptions about immigration and crime. A survey of 1,000 people guessed that 34% of prisoners are immigrants. In reality this statistic is 12%, which reflects the percentage of migrants in the population.

In fact, various studies have found that neither asylum seekers or other types of migrants could be linked with significant changes in violent crime and one study found that there could be a link between waves of immigration and falling crime rates.

• Knife assaults are at a 25-year low


• Hospital admissions for violent assault are half what they were 25 years ago

• Robbery is down by 60% in the last two decade

• Burglary has fallen by two-thirds

• Car theft has halved

• Overall violent crime has halved since 2005


Source: Open Britain

While people like Nigel Farage try to frighten people by claiming Britain is out of control with soaring crime rates, the truth is the opposite. But it suits his narrative and political agenda to make people afraid.

Web Links

Useful statistics on long and short-term trends in crime are available from the Office of National Statistics https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice

The Department of Health and Social Care publishes information about hospital admissions in England for violence at: https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/search/crime#page/4/gid/1/pat/159/par/K02000001/ati/15/are/E92000001/iid/11201/age/1/sex/4/cat/-1/ctp/-1/yrr/3/cid/4/tbm/1

For a discussion of how immigration may lead to decreased crime, see https://kar.kent.ac.uk/62927/1/Immigration%20and%20the%20Crime%20Drop.pdf

https://news.sky.com/story/fact-checking-farage-are-foreigners-more-likely-than-britons-to-commit-sexual-offences-13407029

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Myth: Migrants threaten women and girls

THE FACTS: There have been many claims recently that migrants are responsible for disproportionate levels of sexual offences against women and girls. These are very serious accusations, but commentary by bodies such as the Oxford University-based Migration Observatory underline just how difficult it is to prove or disprove these kinds of claims.

Figures on convictions, however limited, do however make it clear that the great majority of sexual offences are committed by British-born men and it is ironic that a very high proportion (40%) of anti-immigration rioters arrested after the Southport murders in 2024 were found to have been reported for domestic abuse, according to research by the Guardian newspaper based on Freedom of Information requests to the police.

In the meantime, research also indicates that migrants are themselves significantly more likely to be the victims of sexual offences than other sections of the population.

Sexual offences constitute one of the few areas of crime where complaints are rising rather than falling, and their impact on victims can be devastating. Improved safeguarding, better education, more effective policing and a properly-resourced court system that can hear cases quickly would all help; scapegoating migrants will not.

By focussing on just those crimes committed by migrants, especially sex crimes, the far right is reaching into ancient prejudices that exaggerate the threat of the “other” while letting those close to home (sometime literally) off the hook. In fact, statistics show that women and girls are significantly more likely to be abused by someone they know, such as a partner, family member, friend, or acquaintance, rather than a stranger.

The abuse of women and girls is wrong whoever commits the crime. We mustn’t let the extreme right’s obsession with migrants distract us from the real culprit which is misogyny whatever the ethnicity of the perpetrators.  

Web Links

Argument about sexual crime
: https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/66236/uk-is-there-an-increasing-number-of-sexual-assaults-committed-by-male-migrants

The Migration Observatory https://migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/briefings/immigration-and-crime-evidence-for-the-uk-and-other-countries/

Statistics based on ONS data: https://www.statista.com/statistics/315500/sexual-offences-england-wales/

Discussion on sexual offences and immigration in BBC Radio 4’s “More or Less” 10/09/2025, available on BBC Sounds on https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/b006qshd

For a discussion of sexual offences against migrants, see: Prevalence of Sexual Violence in Migrants, Applicants for International Protection, and Refugees in Europe: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis of the Evidence: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6165364/

Information from the Women and Girls Network: https://www.wgn.org.uk/get-informed/myth-busting/

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Myth: We are a soft touch

THE FACTS: There is a wealth of data about the reasons why migrants come to the UK, their economic impact, and relative rates of asylum here and in other countries. The information available makes it clear that the great majority of the people that come here do so with visas for the purposes of work or study.

Summary of UK migration for 2025

• Study – 436,000

• Work – 286,000

• Family – 71,000

People arriving is small boats amounted to just 45,000.

Support given to asylum seekers is not generous. Living in often cramped accommodation (not luxury hotels) they receive just £49.18 per person per week in self-catered accommodation, or a reduced amount of £9.95 per person per week for those in catered accommodation. They are not given iPads or other luxury goods by the government. Anything extra they receive comes from charities, not for central government or local authorities.  

Web Links

Latest UK Government summary (2025) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-system-statistics-year-ending-june-2025/summary-of-latest-statistics

For the tax and economic impacts of immigration, see: https://migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/briefings/the-fiscal-impact-of-immigration-in-the-uk/

and https://www.davidsonmorris.com/immigrants-economic-contributions/

For information about refugees worldwide, and where they settle, see: https://www.unhcr.org/refugee-statistics

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MYTH: We take more than our fair share

THE FACTS: Most people fleeing conflict, famine, flood or other threats tend to be displaced within their own countries or flee to adjacent countries. Only a few make their way to Europe.  

In the UK, we host fewer than 1% of the world’s total refugees and asylum seekers. In comparison, with other European countries, in 2023:

• Germany: 329,000 – 0.39% of total population

• Spain: 162,000 – 0.34% of population

• France: 167,000 – 0.25% of population

• Italy: 136,000 – 0.23% of population

• UK: 67,000 – 0.10% of population

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Why do asylum seekers choose the UK?

There are a number of reasons why asylum seekers choose the UK. These include:

• Family and community connections

• They speak the language

• The perceived fairness and safety of the UK

• Historical and cultural ties

• Family and Community Connections – many asylum seekers aim to reunite with family members or join established diaspora communities in the UK, providing crucial support networks.

• Language Advantage

• English proficiency or familiarity makes integration smoother, especially in employment and education, compared to countries where asylum seekers may not speak the local language.

• Perceived Fairness and Support – some perceive the UK's asylum process as more organized or supportive, despite challenges in housing and processing times.

• Historical and Cultural Ties – former colonial relationships influence migration patterns, with shared language and cultural understanding making the UK an attractive destination.  

The UK is outside the EU's Dublin Regulation which allowed asylum seekers to bypass initial entry country requirements, though this changed post-Brexit.

Web Links

gmlaw.org.uk/2022/06/21/asylum-seeker-mythbuster-6-myths-about-asylum-in-the-uk/

https://migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/briefings/long-term-international-migration-flows-to-and-from-the-uk/

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Myth: Most asylum claims are fake

THE FACTS: UK Home Office data shows around 70% of asylum claims are accepted at the first decision stage (2023). Many rejections are overturned on appeal, meaning the real acceptance rate is even higher. If claims were “fake,” they wouldn’t pass these strict legal tests.

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Myth: They’re breaking the law by coming here

THE FACTS: Seeking asylum is not illegal, even if someone enters without documents. Article 31 of the Refugee Convention says people fleeing danger should not be penalised for irregular entry.

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Myth: They should just stay in France or Germany

THE FACTS: Many have family or community links in the UK, speak English, or feel unsafe in other countries. International law allows people to apply for asylum where they feel safe — there is no rule that they must stay in the first safe country.

People fleeing danger in their own country simply want safety. In fact, it is the poorest countries in the world, often those bordering war and crisis zones, which accept the largest number of refugees. Most asylum seekers do not choose their destination country. Those with some choice may come to the UK because they have friends or family here or because they can speak English.

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Myth: Migrants drain our public resources

THE FACTS: In fact, the truth is quite the opposite!

The Office of Budget Responsibility has projected that the average migrant, who moves to this country at the age of 25 and lives until 80, will contribute £341,000 to public finances over the course of their lives - more than the average British citizen.

Web Links

https://www.unhcr.org/uk/about-unhcr/overview/figures-glance

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/jul/07/war-and-violence-drive-majority-of-people-fleeing-to-europe-by-sea-not-economics?

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1622802/asylum-application-decisions-europe/?utm

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Myth: They are just economic migrants!

THE FACTS: Economic migrants move by choice looking for better work opportunities. Asylum seekers are fleeing war, violence and danger

The home office approves around 70% of all asylum claims at the first decision stage.  

Asylum seeking is not illegal. International law allows people to apply for asylum where they feel safe and there is no rule that says they must stay in the first ‘safe’ country.

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Myth: Asylum seekers are just economic migrants

THE FACTS: Economic migrants move by choice for work or better opportunities. Asylum seekers flee war, persecution, or human rights abuses — often at risk of death if they return. International law (1951 Refugee Convention) gives them the right to protection.

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Myth: Devon is flooded with Asylum Seekers and Refugees

THE FACTS: Contrary to what some people would like you to think, Devon and the South West as a whole has very few asylum seekers, refugees or, indeed, migrants of any kind. Here are the actual numbers:

• Number of Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Devon (As at June 2025)

• Asylum Seekers in Devon represent 0.15% of the population at 1,764 people

• Refugees: 0.23% of the population at 2,764% of the population

• Asylum Seekers and Refugees vs. Population by Devon District (June 2025)

Web Links

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn01403/

https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN01403/Annex---Supported-asylum-seekers-by-local-authority.xlsx

Migrants

Around 12,600 to 5,200 visa-holding people in Devon who could be working (i.e. ~1.5%–3.0% of the population), This is a difficult figure to find and verify and is based on the number of National Insurance numbers issued to foreign nationals in Devon.

Key Sectors & Roles that Migrants work in

Visa holders are employed across a wide range of occupations. Some sectors have especially high numbers or demand. Major job categories include:

Health & Social Care
Nurses, medical practitioners, allied health professionals; care workers & home carers; senior care workers.
This is one of the largest sectors where visas are granted. The “Health & Care” visa category includes many care roles – and care workers became eligible in early 2022.

Low- and Medium-Skilled Roles
Chefs; butchers; fishmongers and poultry dressers; catering/bar managers; air travel assistants; home carers; nursing auxiliaries/assistants.
Many visa holders do these roles. Note: recent rule changes have removed many of the mid-skill roles from eligibility under Skilled Worker visa.

Highly Skilled / Professional Jobs
Doctors, nurses, other medical professionals; software developers; engineering; other roles that require degree-level or professional qualification.
The Skilled Worker visa tends to focus on higher skilled (RQF Level 6 or above) roles lately.

Construction, Trades & Agriculture
Farm / horticultural workers; some construction/trades jobs; but many of these roles are now more restricted for visa eligibility.

Seasonal & Temporary Work
Seasonal agricultural work (fruit picking / horticulture), poultry work, etc.

Other “Middle-skill” Roles
Catering managers, bar managers; travel assistants; various service sector roles.

Web Links

https://www.devon.gov.uk/migration-and-resettlement/the-facts-information-about-refugees-and-asylum-seekers/

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn01403/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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Myth: They’re taking our jobs

THE FACTS: This simply isn’t true! The idea that migrants take jobs from UK workers is a widely circulated myth, with research consistently showing that immigration has no significant negative impact on employment or wages. Migrant workers often fill jobs that UK-born workers are unwilling or unable to do. Without migrants our public services would not be able to function. More than 17% of all NHS staff are from overseas, rising to 27% for nurses, the lifeblood of the NHS. Migrants are disproportionately likely to work in the care sector and without them we would be faced with mass labour shortages. It is not just the health and care sectors that rely on migrants. Across the UK, businesses large and small rely on foreign-born talent. From hospitality and farming to technology and law, migrants are a crucial composite of the UK labour force, making up 21%, a 5% higher share than their proportion of the UK population.

Web Links

https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/stay-informed/explainers/top-facts-from-the-latest-statistics-on-refugees-and-people-seeking-asylum/?utm

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/skilled-refugees-contributing-1m-to-uk-economy-each-year?utm

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Myth: They’re only here for the benefits

THE FACTS: Migrants are actually less likely to claim Welfare Benefits than UK born individuals. People seeking asylum do not come to the UK to claim benefits. Most know nothing about welfare benefits before they arrive and had no expectation that they would receive financial support. Many are living in poverty, experiencing poor health and hunger, unable to pay for basics such as clothing and nappies.

Web Link

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/asylum-seekers/benefits-and-asylum-seekers?

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Myth: All migrants are given preferential access to social housing

THE FACTS: It is just not true. While things may differ between local authorities many determine priority according to the need. While some migrant groups may be more likely to have the characteristics required to gain priority for social housing, on average, migrants were slightly underrepresented among social renters at the time of the 2021 Census of England and Wales. They are also less likely to receive housing than people born in the UK due to many councils now having ‘local connection’ rules. It has also been found that migrants are less likely to live in social housing than UK born individuals and they are less likely to live in affordable rented housing and have access to help to buy schemes.

Web Link

https://migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/briefings/migrants-and-housing-in-the-uk/?

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A glossary of terms

Either deliberately or maliciously, some terms are used incorrectly or are conflated in ways that confuse very different legal statuses. Here we bring some clarity by defining the terms and showing the entitlements of each group.

Definitions of Asylum Seeker, Refugee and Migrant

Asylum seeker: Someone who has left their country because of persecution, war, violence and applied for protection in the UK, but whose claim for refugee status has not yet been decided.

Refugee: A person who has been granted protection in the UK after proving they have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country.

Migrant: A broad term for someone who has been granted a visa and moves to the UK to live, work, study, or join family, but not necessarily because of persecution

Financial and other entitlements

Asylum Seeker

• Work: Not usually allowed to work. They may apply to work after 12 months if their claim is still undecided, but only in jobs on the government’s shortage occupation list.

• Benefits & housing: No access to mainstream benefits. They may receive asylum support (accommodation + small weekly allowance of £8.86 if in a hotel with food provided and currently around £49 per person if having to provide own food).

• Healthcare: Entitled to free NHS care.

• Education: Children can attend school. Adults can sometimes access education but often face restrictions.

Refugee (granted asylum)

• Work: Full right to work in any job.

• Benefits & housing: Full access to benefits and social housing like any UK resident.

• Healthcare: Full NHS access.

• Education: Same rights as UK citizens for school, college, and university (including access to student finance if eligible).

• Travel: Can apply for a Refugee Travel Document.

Migrant (general category, e.g. students, workers, family members)

• Work: Depends on visa type — some migrants can work freely, others have restrictions, some cannot work at all.

• Benefits & housing: Most migrants with temporary visas have no recourse to public funds (NRPF), so no access to most benefits or social housing.

• Healthcare: Generally, have NHS access if living lawfully in the UK, though some visas require payment of the immigration health surcharge.

• Education: Rights depend on visa — children can usually attend school, but access to higher education and student finance depends on immigration status.

Web Links

https://www.refugee-action.org.uk/facts-about-asylum/

https://www.unhcr.org/uk/about-unhcr/who-we-protect/asylum-seekers

https://migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/briefings/migration-to-the-uk-asylum/

gmlaw.org.uk/2022/06/21/asylum-seeker-mythbuster-6-myths-about-asylum-in-the-uk/