Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the potential impact of restrictions on the right to work on women seeking asylum.

This Government remains determined to restore order to the asylum system and clear the backlog of claims as quickly as possible.

Asylum seekers can apply for permission to work if their claim has been outstanding for 12 months or more, through no fault of their own. Those granted permission, can seek employment in roles on the Immigration Salary List.

We are also committed to delivering an asylum process that is gender sensitive – building on the Government’s wider strategy to tackle violence against women and girls.