Lift ban on asylum seekers working upon arrival

Asylum seekers are currently banned from legally working and contributing to London’s economy for 12 months from arrival.

This means many must support themselves and their families on just £5.84 per day.

There are clear benefits of allowing asylum seekers to join London’s workforce, especially in addressing labour shortages in sectors which include education, social care, healthcare, construction, and hospitality.

The London Assembly has today called on the Mayor and the Chair of the Assembly to write to the Government jointly, urging them to amend the law to allow asylum seekers the right to work.

It has also urged the Mayor to formally join the Lift the Ban Coalition on behalf of the Greater London Authority.

Hina Bokhari AM, who proposed the motion, said:

“94% of people seeking asylum want to work. Meanwhile, we are experiencing major labour shortages across London in a range of sectors from hospitality, to education, to construction to healthcare.

“Allowing asylum seekers to work is not only the compassionate thing to dramatically improve their life conditions, but it is common sense too and will inevitably help our city’s economy.

“I am extremely pleased that the London Assembly has committed today to supporting the aims of the Lift the Ban Coalition and its efforts to remove barriers facing asylum seekers in accessing work in the capital and across the UK.”

Marina Ahmad AM, who seconded the motion, said:

“London is open and refugees are welcome here. The Home Office must consider the impact this ban has on refugees and the financial hardship it can cause – especially when many refugees face huge amounts of abuse and vilification.

“Asylum seekers make a huge contribution to London. I am pleased that the Assembly has affirmed the right of refugees to use their skills and live in dignity by supporting the aims of Lift The Ban.”

The full text of the motion is:

This Assembly recognises that asylum seekers are currently banned from legally working and contributing to London’s economy for 12 months from arrival, many of whom must support themselves and their families on just £5.84 per day.

This Assembly also recognises the clear benefits of allowing asylum seekers to join London’s workforce, especially in addressing labour shortages in sectors which include education, social care, healthcare, construction, and hospitality.

This Assembly notes the work of the Lift the Ban Coalition for its continued efforts, most notably by presenting the Home Office with a petition signed by over 180,000 people in October 2020.

This Assembly also recognises the actions of local authorities in the London boroughs of Sutton, Southwark and Merton for joining the coalition.

In addition, the Assembly recognises the following 17 London councils for passing motions regarding their intention to become boroughs of sanctuary for refugees:

• Barnet
• Camden
• Ealing
• Greenwich
• Hackney
• Hammersmith and Fulham
• Hounslow
• Islington
• Kingston
• Lambeth
• Lewisham
• Merton
• Newham
• Richmond
• Waltham Forest
• Wandsworth
• Westminster

This also includes the boroughs of Lewisham, Greenwich and Lambeth, which have been successfully accredited as boroughs of sanctuary for refugees, as recognised by City of Sanctuary UK, a national umbrella organisation working with local institutions such as councils to promote the inclusion of people seeking sanctuary.

This Assembly commits to supporting the aims of the Lift the Ban Coalition and its efforts to remove barriers facing asylum seekers in accessing work in the capital and across the UK.

This Assembly calls on the Mayor to formally join the Lift the Ban Coalition on behalf of the Greater London Authority.

This Assembly also calls on both the Mayor and the Chair of the Assembly to write to the government jointly, urging them to amend the law to allow asylum seekers the right to work.