<nettime> Contrary to what you are told....

["Paul Evans" <paul.evans@poptech.coop>(by way of richard barbrook)]

(Why you shouldn't believe everything you are told by the Government,
the Tories and the press)


* According to an opinion poll last year, the public believes that the
UK hosts about 23 per cent of the world's refugees, although the real
figure is 1.98%

* In 2002, the United Kingdom was 8th in Europe in terms of the number
of asylum applications per 1,000 of the population, with 1.9. Austria is
top with 4.6.

* The public overestimates by a factor of 10 the number of
asylum-seekers in the UK.

* The public believes that the average asylum-seeker receives about [UKP]113
in benefits a week; in reality they receive about [UKP]36.54.

* During the controversy over the Sangatte camp in France, the media
used 51 different terms to describe asylum-seekers, including
'parasites' and 'scroungers'.

* The main countries from which asylum applicants came in 2002 were Iraq
(14,940), Zimbabwe (7,695) and Afghanistan (7,380).

* In 1999-2000, immigrants contributed [UKP]31.2bn in taxes and consumed
[UKP]28.8bn in benefits - a net contribution of about [UKP]2.5bn to the economy.

* An average family seeking asylum receives 24% less than its
British-born equivalent in income support and benefits.

* About a third of those held in detention have been there for more than
four months.

* 10,410 asylum-seekers were forcibly removed in 2002 - 13,335 including
dependants. This is the highest annual total on record.

* Eighty-four per cent of asylum applications are dealt with within six
months; 16 per cent have to wait more than six months. 76% of appeals
were dismissed.

* 10,410 asylum-seekers were forcibly removed in 2002 - 13,335 including
dependants. This is the highest annual total on record.

* 8,100 (10 per cent) were granted asylum, 19,965 (24 per cent)
exceptional leave to remain, and 54,650 (66 per cent) were refused.


http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/story.jsp?story=408724

http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/news/may2003/curr060.htm

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