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<p>Asylum seekers can work in the UK if their claim has been outstanding for 12 months,
through no fault of their own. Those allowed to work are restricted to jobs on the
Shortage Occupation List, which is published by the Home Office and based on expert
advice from the Migration Advisory Committee.</p><p>During the Meaningful Vote debate
on 5 December, the Home Secretary stated that although there are no current plans
to change the current policy, it is an area he wished to review, and work on this
is ongoing.</p><p>In making any policy changes, it is important to distinguish between
those who need protection and economic migrants, who can apply for a work visa under
the Immigration Rules. Our wider policy could be undermined if migrants could bypass
work visa routes by lodging unfounded asylum claims.</p>
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