Statistical Sources
The main source of asylum statistics is the Home Office, which publishes UK asylum statistics every 3 months - 2 months after the quarter being described. More detailed annual data is published 7-9 months after the end of the year being described.
- the most recent annual report [2009] was released on 26 August 2010 and is available here
- the most recent quarterly report [3rd quarter 2010] was released on 25 November 2010 and is available here
- The above reports, supplementary tables and all other Home Office statistics on asylum and immigration, including the monthly asylum statistics, are available from the RDS website
In providing statistics about people subject to immigration control on entering the UK, the Home Office has for many years distinguished asylum seekers and provided additional detail for this group where it is of public interest. These figures are derived from administrative processes relating to applications for asylum and their outcomes.
Data is provided on numbers of applications, main countries of origin of applicants, numbers of initial decisions taken, percentage granted refugee status and other forms of temporary protection, numbers of cases outstanding, numbers of cases dealt with on appeal, percentages succeeding at appeal stage, and numbers of removals and voluntary departures.
Freedom of Information requests
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives any person legal rights of access to information which is held by a public authority. The request can be put forward through the website http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/ and the answer should be disclosed promptly, i.e. not later than 20 working days after receiving the request.
Office of National Statistics
The Office of National Statistics publishes international migration data including acceptances for settlement by region of origin and category of acceptance [including asylum seeking] and asylum applications by region of origin. See ICAR's statistics papers.
Economic and social data
The 2001 Census did not record immigration status, although a case was made for doing so. The most recent census data is available from the Census 2001 website. It contains no information on asylum seekers and refugees, although some information can be gleaned from country of birth and ethnic minority data and from the 'focus on ethnicity and identity' published in January 2004. National, regional and local authority data are also available and again country of birth and ethnic categorisation data can be used as useful proxies for identifying populations of refugees and asylum seekers.
ICAR has pressed the ONS to collect national and small-scale statistics which show migration status.
The Migration Policy Institute [MPI]
MPI, based in Washington, is an 'independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank dedicated to the study of the movement of people world-wide'. The website contains:
- a global data centre which reprints UNHCR statistics
- a data insight commentary feature
- a country profile feature with statistics and commentary on the UK, among other countries
- links to sources of worldwide data including Eurostat, UNHCR, IOM, and national statistics agencies
The Refugee Council
The Refugee Council, which exists to help and support refugees and asylum seekers, has a statistics section on its website which publishes extracts from and commentaries on the most recent Home Office statistics. It highlights the issues of current concern at any one time and offers links to more detailed Home Office and UNHCR statistics.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [UNHCR]
UNHCR has a wealth of international asylum statistics and regularly publishes figures on asylum numbers and trends. The UK office also publishes summaries of UK-specific data on its website.
The Migration Research Unit [MRU]
MRU is part of the Geography Department at University College London. Its aim is to produce "high quality research, independently or in collaboration with others, designed to increase knowledge and understanding of international population migration issues." It has conducted a number of projects related to immigration data for the Home Office and other organisations. MRU also hosts the European Migration Information Network [EMIN], which provides information on European migration data sources.
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Last Updated: 17/02/11
