The government should allow asylum seekers to work legally rather than clamp down on illegal employment. According to an investigation by the Commission on the Integration of Refugees, providing free English classes and engaging local communities in resettlement can lead to a £1.2 billion economic benefit within five years. While the Home Secretary argues that job availability attracts asylum seekers, many European countries permit work after shorter waiting periods. Current EU law mandates that asylum seekers can work after nine months, reducing to six months next year.
An investigation by the Commission on the Integration of Refugees found that providing free English classes on arrival, involving local councils and communities in resettling refugees, and allowing asylum seekers to work if their claims remain undecided after six months would yield a net benefit to the economy of 1.2bn within five years.
EU law requires member states to allow asylum seekers to work after nine months, which will be reduced to six months next year. In many countries, it is already six months, and in others it is less.
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