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A couple living in a poverty-stricken UK town have lashed out at asylum seekers, who they say receive free handouts while they struggle to claim Universal Credit. Lee Stevenson and Gemma Grafton, from Newport, Middlesbrough, welcomed their third child three months ago. The couple says they struggle to afford the basics, such as food and clothes, each month.

Ms Grafton said: "I think a lot of people's backs are up because they get the food vouchers, they get the free mobile phones, free uniforms, driving lessons, the houses. "It's sort of like a kick in the teeth to think, well why do we get none of that, why are they getting it all?"

Under current laws, asylum seekers who arrive in the UK are given a basic weekly allowance and housing. This is typically found in hotels or other temporary accommodations. Once they have been granted asylum, they move out of this housing and apply to their local council for help.

Some councils allow parents to apply for a school uniform grant, typically around £100, for their children. Driving lessons are sometimes given to unaccompanied young people who have been granted asylum status. Young care leavers in the UK are also offered free driving lessons.

Mobile phones are not provided by the Government, but some charities will source devices for asylum seekers.

However, Mr Stevenson and Ms Grafton say their unexpected third pregnancy has left them struggling to make ends meet. They live in one of the most deprived areas of the country, with six out of seven children in Middlesbrough currently classed as living in poverty.

He told Sky News: "We don't seem to have enough money some months to cover the basics that you need.

"It would be nice to have a constant full fridge of everything that my kids want, full cupboards, all the snacks, and just being able to say we're going out for a day now. We'll go out and have a fun day out."

The two-child benefit cap means that, despite having another child, the couple's Universal Credit payments haven't increased.

Latest Home Office figures show 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year ending June 2025. This is the highest number for any 12-month period since records began in 2001.