Questions being asked on Stradey Park Hotel Asylum Accommodation
403 days ago
The following frequently asked questions (FAQs) have been compiled to answer questions being asked by residents and the wider public around the arrival and placement of a large group of Asylum Seekers at the Stradey Park Hotel and Spa in Ffwrnes, Llanelli.
An asylum seeker is someone who has arrived in another country and asked for that country’s protection.
Reference - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1999/33/contents
Asylum seeker – a person who has travelled to another country to seek that country’s protection from persecution, war, or violence.
Refugee – someone who has been accepted by that country as having a “well-founded fear of persecution in their home country for reasons of race, religion, nationality, member of a particular social group, or political opinion”.
Economic migrant – a person who moves to another country because of the better opportunities than exist in that person’s home country.
‘Bogus’ or ‘Illegal’ asylum seeker - There is no such thing as ‘bogus’ or ‘Illegal’ asylum seekers. People are legally entitled to make an application for asylum.
Illegal immigrant – someone who has no right to remain in the UK and has not applied for asylum. For example, this could be someone who arrived under a tourist or student visa, and that visa has expired. A person who has fled persecution or war in their home country is not an illegal immigrant under the 1951 United Nations Convention on Refugees.
There is a large backlog in making a decision on asylum claims. The Home Office has pledged to clear the backlog of claims made before June 2022 by December 2023. This would imply that the delay should be reduced to 18 months by the end of this year.
Source: Robert Jenrick, Minister for Immigration, quoted in Hansard. https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2023-03-20/debates/9812022F-EBBB-4151-A653-BEE487DE0372/AsylumAndImmigrationApplicationsBacklog
When the UK Government decides that a person needs protection, they become known as a refugee. The 1951 United Nations Convention on Refugees sets out internationally-recognised rules about the protection of refugees. The UK was one of the first countries to sign the Convention.
Reference - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1999/33/contents
The top five countries of origin for asylum applications in the UK. The largest in 2022 were Albanian (14,200), Afghan (10,000), Iranian (7,600), Iraqi (4,100) and Syrian (3,700).
Reference: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn01403/
No. Around 70% of asylum applications are from males travelling alone. This reflects the extremely hazardous nature of the journey. However, about 30% of asylum applications are from families.
Reference: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn01403/
No. Employers are legally required to check potential employees’ immigration status. There are hefty fines for employers who fail to do this.
Yes. This is something we intend to encourage. It can allow asylum seekers to develop skills and practice speaking English (and Welsh). Volunteering is important to help them maintain their self-esteem and mental health. They can also make a useful contribution to the local community, as many asylum seekers have skills, which they would otherwise not be allowed to use.
The Home Office is funding the operation, which are designed to meet the basic needs of asylum seekers.
No. Asylum and immigration are non-devolved issues, and neither Carmarthenshire County Council nor Welsh Government can prevent the Home Office from placing asylum seekers in our County.
Most of them do. The UK receives far fewer asylum applications than most European countries compared with our population. In 2021, the UK received 48,540 asylum applications. Per head of population, this places the UK 18th amongst European countries. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the vast majority – around 4 out of 5 - of displaced people due to war or persecution stay in a neighbouring country. This means that most displaced people live in the poorer countries in the World.
There are very few options for people to reach the UK by other means. It is a highly dangerous and frightening way to make the journey. People have died in the attempt. Other ways of entering the UK have also proved dangerous, such as hiding in a lorry. The UK does not allow people to make asylum claims at British embassies or consulates.
They are asylum seekers. There is no such thing as ‘bogus’ or ‘Illegal’ asylum seekers. People are legally entitled to make an application for asylum.
Dyfed Powys Police is working with partners and the local community to ensure that all residents, new and old, know how to call on police services should they need to. Neighbourhood policing teams will be visible in the area and will be proactively patrolling and engaging with residents.
Website | https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline
E-mail| 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk
Phone | 101
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.
You can also get in touch anonymously with Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111, or visit crimestoppers-uk.org
In an emergency, always dial 999.
Yes, asylum seekers are entitled to take part in English classes which are already being provided within the community. They may join Welsh classes also if they wish. Informal opportunities to learn English and Welsh will also be provided within the community.
Any school-age children will be found school places in local schools in Llanelli, in accordance with the normal rules for school admissions.
We will not know what religion the asylum seekers follow. Clearsprings Ready Homes welfare staff will ask them about their religious needs on arrival. They will have a private space to pray in the Hotel. They may wish to attend local religious services as appropriate.
Asylum seekers with little or no money are entitled to legal aid to help with their asylum claim. Any person applying for legal aid has a test of resources to determine if they qualify. Source: Law Society. https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/public/for-public-visitors/common-legal-issues/claiming-asylum and Home Office https://www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid
Everyone living or visiting our communities need to be able to access appropriate healthcare through the NHS. Hywel Dda University Health Board will be working with individuals to support them to register with local healthcare services such as a GP practice and dentist, ensuring demand and capacity is managed across the health board area.
The health board will also work to provide screening services, where appropriate, to ensure we can keep people healthy. This will be done by working closely with the individuals on site to understand their individual needs – communication will be facilitated through central language and translation services.