A Liverpool MP raised an important point about asylum seekers in Parliament today.
Liverpool Walton MP Dan Carden raised a question with Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, who was filling in for the absent Boris Johnson at Prime Minister's Questions. Mr Carden said he welcomed news that people fleeing Ukraine and arriving in Britain will be given the rights to work and access key public services in the country.
But he questioned why this approach was not being extended by the government to all those arriving in the UK after fleeing war or persecution. Under current rules, asylum seekers - not including those escaping from the Ukraine conflict - are barred from working unless their claims have been outstanding for 12 months through no fault of their own. At this point they can seek permission from the Home Office to apply for specified roles.
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The government has brought in a bespoke system for those escaping to Britain from Ukraine. They will be allowed to stay for three years with leave to remain and will be allowed to work and access benefits.
Mr Carden asked why this approach could not be extended to all those seeking asylum here.
The Labour MP said: "It's welcome that Ukrainians seeking asylum in Britain will have the right to work and access to public services, we should always offer sanctuary to those fleeing persecution.
"People who come to Britain, to make it their home, no matter where they are from or the colour of their skin, make a hugely positive contribution to our society and economy - if they are supported to do so.
He added: "So how can the government now justify not extending the same welcome, and the same rights, including the right to work, to all people seeking asylum in Britain."
In response, Mr Raab suggested the government had gone beyond the normal asylum rules because of the specific nature of the Ukraine crisis.
He said: "He's right that we have a strong tradition and we've stepped up to the plate with the Hong Kong British National Overseas citizens, with Operation Pitting (related to Afghanistan), which brought 17,000 back and we will go further and beyond the normal rules when there is a crisis like we have seen in Ukraine.
Mr Raab added: "Ukrainians coming here can live, work and access benefits, they can stay for three years with leave to remain. I'm proud and the whole house should be proud, not just of the big-hearted approach of this government, but of the 100,000 British sponsors who have come forward and said they will open their homes to those refugees."
