Andy Burnham Proposes Work Rights for Asylum Seekers Amid Migration Concerns
Andy Burnham suggests he will give asylum seekers the right to work...despite warnings Britain will become a bigger magnet for small boat migrants

Image: Mail Online
Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, has proposed granting asylum seekers the right to work in the UK, arguing it is unjust to leave them in limbo. Critics warn this could increase illegal migration, with some calling it a 'boneheaded proposal'.
- 01Burnham's proposal could allow over 100,000 asylum seekers to work, including those who arrived illegally.
- 02Critics, including Zia Yusuf from Reform UK, argue this will incentivize illegal migration and undermine existing immigration rules.
- 03Most asylum seekers have been barred from working in the UK since 2002, a policy Burnham aims to change.
- 04Burnham believes the current labor market justifies allowing asylum seekers to work while their cases are processed.
- 05He has previously softened some of his migration views, indicating a need for public debate on the issue.
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Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has indicated his intention to allow asylum seekers the right to work in the UK, arguing that it is unfair for them to remain in limbo during their case assessments. This proposal could potentially enable over 100,000 asylum seekers, including many who arrived illegally via small boats, to enter the workforce. Critics, such as Zia Yusuf from Reform UK, have condemned the proposal as a significant incentive for illegal immigration, asserting that it would exacerbate the existing crisis of small boat crossings. Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp echoed these concerns, labeling Burnham's stance as indicative of an 'open borders' approach. Historically, asylum seekers in the UK have been barred from working since 2002, a restriction that Burnham argues is outdated given current labor market conditions. He believes that allowing asylum seekers to work could enable them to contribute to society and reduce their dependency on state support. However, Burnham has not detailed specific measures he would implement to address border security if he becomes prime minister, despite acknowledging the need for a robust discussion on these issues.
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The proposal could significantly affect the labor market and immigration policies in the UK.
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