Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government why asylum applicants are not permitted to apply for permission to work after six months in the UK, given the current labour shortages.

Asylum seekers are allowed to work in the UK if their claim has been outstanding for 12 months or more, through no fault of their own. Those permitted to work are restricted to jobs on the Shortage Occupation List.

It is important to distinguish between those who need protection and those seeking to work here who can apply for a work visa under the Immigration Rules. Asylum seekers do not need to make perilous journeys in order to seek employment in the UK. There are various safe and legal routes for those seeking to work in the UK under the Points Based System.