We are asking Newcastle University to make a statement of support allowing asylum seekers to work during their application. 

Currently, asylum seekers are not allowed to work for until a year has passed, and even after this they are required to apply to be allowed to work on the jobs on the shortage occupation list. We believe that this requirement is damaging to the mental health of asylum seekers across the country, as the situation forces people to become entirely dependent on the support that the state provides, while also incentivising unofficial work that perpetuates human slavery. 

A recent survey of those applying for asylum by lift the ban coalition found that 94% of respondents would like to work if they were given permission to do so. The policy is also damaging to our community, as services such as the NHS are deprived of skilled workers. The lift the ban survey found that 45% of respondents had jobs that would define them as critical workers, and 1 in 7 respondents had worked in health or social care. The lift the ban coalition estimates that the net benefit to the UK economy would be £97.8 million a year. The whole report can be found here:

http://lifttheban.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Lift-The-Ban-Common-Sense.pdf

Newcastle University is an employer as well as an influential institution within our community. We believe that this statement will provide further evidence that the public want the current policy changed in the interests of everyone involved. There is significant momentum for this campaign within the university and the North East generally as evidenced by the passing of motions in the Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool city councils, as well as Newcastle University Students Union.