Asylum and refugee support in the UK

Key messages 

• asylum seekers in the UK are excluded from the labour market and rely on welfare payments that fall below standard poverty thresholds 

• civil society organisations provide essential support, including food, housing assistance and advocacy 

• the policy framework contributes to conditions of extreme poverty among asylum seekers 

• support from charities and community groups varies by location 

• without policy reform, third sector organisations will continue to compensate for gaps in state provision. 

Policy implications 

• reforms to asylum support policies may be required to reduce poverty among asylum seekers 

• greater coordination between government and civil society organisations could improve consistency of support 

• policymakers may need to reassess welfare support levels and work restrictions for asylum seekers 

• national standards for support provision could reduce regional variation. 

Gaps 

• limited evidence on the long-term impacts of reliance on third sector support 

• further research is needed on how asylum policies affect access to health and social care services. 

Commentary 
This study explores how asylum support operates in practice in the UK, focusing on the role civil society organisations play in supporting asylum seekers. The analysis shows that restrictive asylum policies create conditions in which individuals are unable to work and must rely on limited welfare payments. 

As a result, voluntary and community organisations frequently provide basic forms of assistance that fall outside formal state provision. These organisations help address immediate needs such as food security, social support and access to services. 

However, the study also highlights the uneven nature of this support. Civil society responses depend heavily on local resources, networks and organisational capacity, meaning that the level of support available can vary significantly across different areas. 

From a care inequities perspective, the findings illustrate how financial and policy structures shape access to support for asylum seekers. Low welfare payments and employment restrictions place individuals at heightened risk of poverty, while reliance on voluntary sector provision creates uneven access depending on geography. These dynamics demonstrate how financial inequities are embedded within the asylum support system and can influence individuals’ ability to access essential services, including health and social care. 

Overall, the study highlights the limitations of relying on civil society to compensate for policy gaps. Without structural policy change, the support available to asylum seekers is likely to remain unevenly distributed, reinforcing financial inequities in access to support and services.