Deidre Brock MP co-sponsored a Bill coming before parliament today (Wednesday) calling for asylum seekers to be given the right to work.
The bill was brought by Catherine West MP with support from a cross-party coalition of MPs. It would let asylum seekers apply for work six months after making their claim.
Deidre said: “It’s about time the UK’s broken asylum system was fixed – letting people earn a living is a good place to start.
“Refugees and asylum seekers will often have faced unimaginable trauma before reaching these shores. Instead of providing a helping hand, the system is pushing them into poverty.
“It is not only inhumane to leave people destitute, it makes no sense economically. We have many jobs needing filled and workers willing to fill them.
“Scottish Government research found most refugees and asylum seekers living in Scotland were well qualified with a broad range of technical and professional skills to offer – including surgeons, midwives, tradesmen and women, IT professionals and engineers.
“We have talented people, keen to work, left languishing in appalling conditions for years, on an allowance of £5.39 a day. That cannot be right.
“Allowing asylum seekers to work will not only boost the economy, it will help people integrate into communities, build friendships and rebuild their lives.
“This bill has my full support.”..
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