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<p>Asylum seekers who have had their claim outstanding for 12 months or more, through
no fault of their own, are allowed to work. Those permitted to work are restricted
to jobs on the Shortage Occupation List. This is based on expert advice from the independent
Migration Advisory Committee. It is the Home Office’s assessment that any analysis
in this area is dependent on making assumptions from limited evidence and will therefore
produce uncertain results.</p><p>Whilst we keep all policies under review, there are
no immediate plans to change the existing policy, other than aligning it with the
upcoming Immigration Salary List, which replaces the SOL. It is important that we
distinguish between individuals who need protection and those seeking to work here
who can apply for a work visa under the Immigration Rules. The Government has always
been clear that asylum seekers do not need to make perilous journeys in order to seek
employment in the UK. Those in need of protection should claim asylum in the first
safe country they reach – that is the fastest route to safety.</p><p>Whilst there
is mixed evidence that access to work in itself is a pull factor, it is reasonable
to assume that this is one element in a range of factors that may drive illegal migration
rather than use of legal routes to work in the UK. These routes include Skilled Worker,
Global Talent, and Health and Care routes, which are supporting UK businesses to recruit
workers with the skills and talent they need from around the world.</p>
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