Refugee Support Europe is proud to be part of Refugee Action’s Lift the Ban Coalition, calling for the right to work for people seeking asylum. We’re excited to share the publication of a new report that brings fresh momentum to the campaign.
The coalition has published a powerful new report: Time to Lift the Ban. It brings together recent evidence supporting the case for allowing people to work after six months of waiting for an initial asylum decision, without the harmful restrictions imposed by the Immigration Salary List (ISL).
The report urges policymakers to seize the opportunity presented by a new Parliament to take a more rational, compassionate approach to working rights. It dismantles the long-standing ‘pull factor’ myth that previous governments have used to resist change, showing that work rights have little to no influence on where people seek safety. It also highlights the damaging effects of the current policy on individuals and UK society alike, and demonstrates how far out of step the UK is compared to most other OECD countries, where six months or less is the norm.
Lift the Ban and coalition members will be using this new report to engage MPs and push for long-overdue change. You can help by reading and sharing the report with your local MP.
To mark the launch, Lift the Ban held a drop-in event in Parliament on 13 May. Campaigners with lived experience of the asylum system travelled from across the UK to speak directly with MPs and Peers, sharing their stories about the impact of the work ban, adding urgency and clarity to the call for change.
In total, 26 policymakers, including MPs, peers and staffers, attended the event to listen, express support and learn more about the campaign. The response from MPs and peers was positive, with many reaffirming their commitment to refugee rights and the right to work. Lift the Ban is now following up with attendees to build on that momentum and continue pushing for reform.
Together, we can help Lift the Ban and build a stronger, more dignified system for people seeking safety in the UK.
Read and share the new report.
