People seeking safety in the UK are not allowed to work to support themselves. Despite possessing a wealth of skills and employment experience, people seeking asylum are left to live on just £5.66 per day, struggling to support themselves and their families, while the Government wastes the talents of thousands of people.

We think that’s wrong. We believe that people who have risked everything to find safety should have the best chance of contributing to society and integrating into local communities. This means allowing people the right to work so that they can use their skills and live in dignity.

We believe that people seeking protection in Scotland and across the UK should have the right to work if their asylum claim has not been resolved within six months. And we’re not alone.

Scottish Refugee Council is part of the Lift the Ban coalition pushing the government in Westminster for change.

Together, we believe we can #LiftTheBan and ensure that people seeking safety in the UK have the right to work.

Lifting the ban would help people to integrate, allow people to live in dignity and fulfil their potential, address mental health issues, challenge forced labour and exploitation, and result in an economic gain for the UK.

Over 180,000 people recently signed a petition to #LiftTheBan. The petition is now closed, but you can email your MP asking them to call for the right to work for people seeking asylum.