The UK has one of the most restrictive policies on the right to work for people seeking asylum in the world.
Most similar nations (including the USA, Canada, Australia and most of Europe) only restrict asylum seekers from working for the first 6 months or less of their asylum claim. However the UK bans asylum seekers from work for 12 months.
Moreover, by imposing a Shortage Occupation List, we restrict the occupations asylum workers can work in after the 12 months has expired. Sometimes asylum seekers remain prohibited from work in professions in which there is an acute labour shortage.
While they are unable to work asylum seekers have to survive on a meagre £7 a day allowance (and often significantly less for those in hotel accommodation).
It has been estimated that banning asylum seekers from working costs the UK £280 million each year – in lost tax and national insurance income. Furthermore research has shown that many asylum seekers are qualified to to jobs that we desperately need filling. A survey in 2020 showed 45% of asylum seekers had qualifications that would make them key workers in the UK (1 in 7 had experience of working in health and social care).
It makes no sense, economically or socially, to ban asylum seekers from working for 12 months.
The Liberal Democrats have a policy that asylum seekers should have the right to work after 3 months.
‘Refugee Action have also produced a 2025 report ‘ Time to Lift the Ban’ which has researched the issue and come up with several economic and social arguments for the ban on asylum seekers’ right to work being significantly reduced and the shortage occupation list abolished.
ALDC has produced some materials to help you campaign for this in your local area.
- Social Media Graphics – Affinity
Further materials from Refugee Action and the Lift the Ban coalition can be found on their website here.
The Liberal Democrats for Seekers of Sanctuary (LD4SOS) group has campaigned for Asylum Seekers Right to Work for a number of years – alongside a number of other campaigns to support refugees and asylum seekers such as fairer housing, immigration detention and family reunion rules. You can find out more about LD4SOS on their website here.