‘Deny work to would-be immigrants’

Asylum seekers should not be encouraged to integrate into British society, a UK government spokesman has told the House of Lords.

Earl Attlee, a government whip who speaks for the Home Office in the Lords, said if asylum seekers became integrated, it made it harder to return them to their own country if their application to stay was turned down.

His comments came as some peers called on the government to allow asylum seekers to work while they waited for their cases to be determined.

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Labour former minister Lord Touhig told Lord Attlee at question time: “There is anecdotal evidence that shows denying asylum seekers the right to work prevents their integration into British society.”

Lord Attlee, a Tory peer, replied: “You are right. Denying asylum seekers the right to work does make it difficult for them to integrate into our society and that is what we want.

“We do not want asylum seekers who have not determined their right to remain in the UK to become integrated into the UK because it makes it more difficult for them to return.

“When we find someone has a good claim for asylum, asylum is granted and they can work straight away.”