Asylum Seekers

Lord Touhig Excerpts

Monday 20th May 2013 Lords Chamber

[Earl Attlee]

Indeed, there is much good legislation that comes from Europe. The point I would like to make is that asylum seekers can do voluntary work.

[Lord Touhig]

My Lords, there is anecdotal evidence showing that denying asylum seekers the right to work prevents their integration into British society. Have the Government made an assessment of this aspect of the problem, and if they have not done so, will he agree to do it?

[Earl Attlee]

The noble Lord is right: denying asylum seekers the ability to work makes it difficult for them to integrate into our society, and that is what we want. We do not want asylum seekers who have not determined their right to be in the UK to become integrated into the UK, as it makes it more difficult for them to return. When we find that someone has a good claim for asylum, asylum is granted, they can work straight away and we can then try to integrate them into our society as fast as possible.