§ The Earl of Listowelasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they publicise the fact that asylum seekers are often forbidden to work during their first six months in the United Kingdom. [HL4706]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonOn making an asylum claim, port and in-country asylum applicants are issued with a standard acknowledgement letter. This letter clearly states that the asylum applicant and his dependants may not take employment paid or unpaid but that the asylum seeker may seek permission to work if no decision has been made on his application after six months. The instructions to Immigration and Nationality Directorate staff, which are published on the Internet, also make this clear.