In order to claim asylum in the UK, people often have to undertake difficult and dangerous journeys. A glance at the top ten countries from which asylum seekers come to the UK reveals that they are almost all countries ravaged by war, extreme persecution of minorities or systemic human rights abuses.

Contrary to public perception, the UK is not swamped by asylum seekers. On average only 4-5% of long-term immigrants to the UK are asylum seekers. Most immigrants come with visas to work or study, not to seek asylum. Compared to other European countries, the UK has relatively few asylum claims per head of population. Indeed, the Red Cross estimates that only 0.19% of the UK population are refugees.