Cut time asylum seekers wait to work, say Tory MPs

A number of Tory MPs are calling on the government to reduce the waiting time for asylum seekers before they can work in the UK.

A total of 66 Tory politicians wrote to the Prime Minister last week demanding an amendment to the Nationality and Borders Bill.

It would let asylum seekers work if they are still waiting for a decision on their application after six months – which is unlikely.

No 10 said the government would “not be dissuaded from its plans”.

According to current rules, the Interior Ministry can grant asylum seekers a work permit if their application has been open for more than a year through no fault of their own.

Those who are allowed to work may only get jobs on the shortage occupation list published by the Home Office until their application is approved or denied.

Then they either have free access to the labor market or are expected to leave the UK.

Conservative colleagues – including Boris Johnson’s brother Lord Johnson – wanted to reduce the time allowed for asylum seekers to seek employment to six months.

And after Tory Baroness Philippa Stroud tabled the proposal in the House of Lords, it was voted through and added to the bill.

Now the bill with its amendment has returned to the House of Commons to be debated on Tuesday and has garnered the support of a host of MPs including former Justice Secretary Sir Robert Buckland and leading Brexiteer Tory Steve Baker.

The plan also has the support of opposition parties, who are expected to vote in favor later on Tuesday.

But while 27 Tory MPs have publicly backed the amendment, at least 39 rebels would need to vote to get it through the House of Commons.

And there is no sign that the government is changing its mind to support them.

A No 10 spokesman said: “The votes in the House of Lords have been disappointing, we will not be dissuaded from our plans to fix the system.

“Asylum seekers are already allowed to work in the UK if their application has been open for 12 months or more through no fault of their own, which remains the case following a review of the system.

“Obviously we want to avoid incentives for unfounded asylum claims and it is important to distinguish between those in need of protection and job seekers who can apply for a work visa.”

The bill introduces post-Brexit immigration, asylum and citizenship policies, and the government suffered a series of defeats on its plans when the bill passed the House of Lords.