Asylum seekers aren’t allowed to work in the UK in general, but some people argue they should be allowed to after at least six months of waiting for their claim for asylum to be decided.
Under current rules, people who have claimed asylum can apply for permission to work if they’ve been waiting for 12 months and the delay isn’t their fault. If they are allowed to work, they can only take certain jobs, including care workers, carpenters, bricklayers, shipbuilders, musicians and lab technicians. Supporters of reducing the rule to six months argue that by allowing asylum seekers to support themselves it will reduce the burden on the public purse. A cost which runs into billions of pounds per year. The cost of housing and supporting Britain’s backlog of asylum seekers was £5.4billion in 2023-24, more than five times the £940million bill for 2019-20, according to Government figures.
Those who support a six month rule also argue that by allowing asylum seekers to enter the workforce, they can contribute to society and help heal divisions by mixing with others.
However, critics focused on small boat crossings have said granting asylum seekers permission to work after six months of claiming asylum would act as a pull factor for others, drawing even more people into making the perilous journey across the English Channel.
They also argue that once given a job it would be harder to deport them if their claim for asylum failed.
Meanwhile, a Government minister on Wednesday (April 16) did not deny plans for a migrant removals agreement with France, which could see a person deported from the UK in exchange for sending another individual across the English Channel.
The Financial Times reported talks have begun to develop the pilot scheme based on “a one-for-one principle”. A Home Office spokesman said the Government is “intensifying” its collaboration with France and other European countries.
Asked about the arrangement, Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood said that “there are discussions ongoing with the French government”, but did not say what a future deal could look like.
She told Sky News: “I can confirm there are discussions ongoing with the French government about how we stop this appalling and dangerous trade in people that’s happening across the English Channel.”
More than 8,180 people are thought to have crossed the English Channel this year so far, after 119 crossings were recorded on Monday. This was 31% higher than the same point last year (6,265), and 67% up at this stage in 2023 (4,899).
