Overview

This bill aims to shorten the waiting period for asylum seekers to obtain permission to work in the UK. It proposes reducing the waiting period from one year to three months and removing some existing restrictions on employment permission.

Description

The Asylum Seekers (Permission to Work) Act 2019 amends the existing Immigration Rules. Specifically:

• It reduces the waiting period before asylum seekers can apply for permission to work from one year to three months. This change affects Rules 360 and 360C within the Immigration Rules.
• It removes Rules 360A and 360D, which further restricted the ability of asylum seekers to request permission to work.

The Act applies to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland and comes into effect six months after it is passed.

Government Spending

The bill's direct impact on government spending is not explicitly stated. However, allowing asylum seekers to work sooner could potentially reduce the cost of supporting them through benefits and increase tax revenue in the long term. Precise figures are unavailable without further analysis.

Groups Affected

This bill primarily affects:

• Asylum Seekers: They will benefit from the ability to work much sooner, improving their financial independence and integration into society.
• Employers: They will have access to a wider pool of potential employees.
• Government: Potential impacts on government spending include reduced benefit payments and increased tax revenue, although the overall effect is uncertain.

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