Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a right to work for asylum seekers who have (a) lodged an asylum application and (b) been waiting more than six months for a decision on their asylum application.

As has been the case for many years, asylum seekers who have had their claim outstanding for 12 months or more, through no fault of their own, can apply for permission to work. Those permitted to work are restricted to jobs on the Immigration Salary List. This list is based on expert advice from the independent Migration Advisory Committee.

Whilst we keep all policies under review, there are no plans to change this policy.

The Government is determined to restore order to the asylum system. We will ensure that the system operates fairly and with quicker processing of claims. This will see recognised refugees being able to access employment more quickly, whilst failed asylum seekers can be safely returned.