There is a crisis,
just not the one you think
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THE ISSUE
SMALL BOATS, BIGGER ISSUES, AND EVEN BIGGER FEELINGS...
Small boats arriving in Europe, and those who travel on them, grab headlines and have a disproportionate impact on the public’s attitudes towards refugees and migration.
IMPACT
This leads to a misdiagnosis: that the problem lies with the asylum seekers rather than the asylum system. Public attitude then drives policies that are misguided, even cruel, as a result.
If the global asylum system doesn’t feel like it’s working for anybody, what can be done about it?
WHAT WE'RE DOING
We want to change the nature of the conversation
In 2025, we launched a campaign to unpack the myths about asylum and foster a less polarised debate.
MYTH 1
1. MIGRATION TO THE UK IS UNCONTROLLED
Only 3% of the 1.2 million people that came to the UK in 2024 arrived on small boats, ‘uninvited’.
The vast majority of migrants to the UK arrive on terms set by the government. They come mainly for reasons of work or study, because successive governments want to fill gaps in the labour force, or have British Universities benefit from high fee-paying international students.
The vast majority of migrants to the UK arrive on terms set by the government. They come mainly for reasons of work or study, because successive governments want to fill gaps in the labour force, or have British Universities benefit from high fee-paying international students.
MYTH 2
2. THEY’RE ALL COMING TO EUROPE
71% of refugees and asylum seekers are hosted in low and middle income countries.
The UK took in 0.1% of the world’s refugees and asylum seekers last year.
The UK took in 0.1% of the world’s refugees and asylum seekers last year.
MYTH 3
3. THOSE ARRIVING ON SMALL BOATS ARE STRAINING OUR SERVICES
People arriving on small boats have no right to work, rent a house, open a bank account, collect benefits, access social housing or have a driving license.
They don’t have these rights until they are given ‘right to remain’. And that often takes years.
They don’t have these rights until they are given ‘right to remain’. And that often takes years.
MYTH 4
4. THEY CAN JUST JOIN A QUEUE AND WAIT THEIR TURN!
The overwhelming majority of individuals and nationalities have no legal access whatsoever to the UK’s asylum system. Europe’s no different.
For the vast majority, a queue doesn’t exist. It’s not a case of waiting their turn.
For the vast majority, a queue doesn’t exist. It’s not a case of waiting their turn.
MYTH 5
5. SHOULDN’T THEY JUST STAY IN THE FIRST SAFE COUNTRY?
There is a global failure to find lasting solutions to end displacement and its causes.
This means that generations of refugees are left living their lives in a semi-permanent state of uncertainty in neighbouring countries.
Just a small number choose to keep moving…
This means that generations of refugees are left living their lives in a semi-permanent state of uncertainty in neighbouring countries.
Just a small number choose to keep moving…
MYTH 6
6. AREN’T WE HELPING THEM TO STAY WHERE THEY ARE?
Not anymore.
Aid spend across the world has fallen off a cliff. We are spending less and less helping to address causes of displacement: conflict, climate change and inequalities.
Aid spend across the world has fallen off a cliff. We are spending less and less helping to address causes of displacement: conflict, climate change and inequalities.
We build more inclusive
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to meet the expectations of society.
Expectation State, based across the Middle East and Africa, has over two decades of experience working with civil society, governments and donors on issues related to forced migration and conflict in some of the toughest places in the world.
The Truths Behind the Small Boats Campaign
GET IN TOUCH
Interested in getting involved? Curious to see a snapshot of the documentary? Reach out to Lucy Hovil and Raymond Asfour.