Restrictions on asylum seekers’ right to work should be relaxed, the Government has been told.
Peers behind the call at Westminster argued the easing of the rules would help integration, give people dignity, save the taxpayer cash and avoid the threat of exploitation.
The proposal came as the House of Lords continued its detailed scrutiny of the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill, which has already cleared the Commons.
The proposed legislation will end free movement following Britain’s departure form the EU and deliver a points-based immigration system.
Pressing for a relaxation of the current restrictions on asylum seekers accessing employment, Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Hamwee said: “The great majority of asylum seekers are keen to work. Persistence is probably part of the make-up of many of them by definition, their having managed to get to this country. They want to pay tax and to contribute to their new society.”
She was supported by independent crossbencher Baroness Meacher, who said: “Reform would enable asylum seekers to begin to integrate, to support themselves and live with dignity, to support their children to lead healthy, productive lives and, very importantly, to avoid the very real risk of exploitation and modern slavery.”
Labour peer and refugee campaigner Lord Dubs, who fled the Nazis as a child on the Kindertransport, argued it was a “matter of integrity” that people should be allowed to work.
He said: “We want people in this country to have a sense of their worth and to have self-respect, because to deny that to our fellow human beings is pretty appalling.
“It’s a matter of integrity that people should be allowed to work. It’s a matter of being a way out of poverty.
“Public opinion is overwhelmingly in support of having people here who do work rather than eke their existence out on virtually no benefits and even if they were on larger benefits, public opinion would still support their right to work.
He added: “Talk to any asylum seeker, anybody here, and they will say what they want to do is to contribute to this country and to our society.”
But opposing the move, independent crossbencher Lord Green of Deddington, founding chairman of Migration Watch UK, said the increase in Channel crossings over the summer showed Britain was “becoming the country of choice” for asylum seekers.
“Unless we can reduce the incentives to get into Britain illegally, these pressures on our borders will continue and probably increase,” he added.
Additional reporting by Press Association.