1. Campaigning to Lift the Ban
Emma Birks and Andrea Vukovic

2. Why People Seeking Asylum Should Have the Right to Work

3. What is the Campaign all about?
People seeking asylum are effectively banned from working
They must wait for 12 months
Shortage Occupation List

4. Why is Change Needed? Route out of poverty Wasteful
Support integration
Big public support
UK is an outlier
Basic unfairness

5. What is the campaign calling for?
Reduce waiting period from 12 to 6 months
Allow any job - no restriction to the shortage occupation list
Right not an obligation
This would represent a return to pre policy

6. Why now & the route to change
Two previous campaigns on this in 2008 and 2016 but the political context is now better.
The forthcoming Immigration Bill represents an opportunity.
Building a cross party parliamentary coalition of support.
Two ways to succeed: Home Office policy reversal or an amendment to the Immigration Bill

7. Why has the Government resisted change
‘Pull factor’
False claims from economic migrants

8. What actions can you take?
Contact your MP
Engage with other local decision makers
Engage your local media
Get more people involved!
Join the coalition
Share the petition
Hold an event – get free ice cream!!
Social media

9. What resources are available?
Briefing for MPs
Petition sheet
Template press release
Template MP letter

10. How will you campaign on Lift the Ban?

11. What are you waiting for??
Go to the website; download the Local Activism Pack for activities, ideas and materials
Website: