To show support for a campaign to allow asylum seekers who have been in the UK more than six months to work and go to university, Lynne Featherstone MP today met with young local residents to hear their personal stories and how the restrictions have affected their lives.

Save the Children’s ‘Brighter Futures Campaign‘ aims to highlight the special difficulties young asylum seekers experience when they are not allowed to support themselves and carry on with a normal life whilst their application is considered. With the Home Office sometimes taking up to ten years to reach a final decision, the work and education restrictions can be very damaging to young people’s self-esteem and future.

Lynne is one of many Liberal Democrat MPs who have been fighting for asylum seekers’ right to work in Parliament, and has recently signed a motion calling for the issue to be debated in the Commons.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“It’s been inspirational to meet these amazing young people, who have gone through so much to end up here in Haringey today.

“But meeting them has also made me angry. When waiting for a decision that will determine their entire future, they have no chance to live a normal life and build up the self-esteem and sense of pride that you get from education and from working.

“That’s not right and that’s not fair. They deserve the chance to grow intellectually, financially and psychologically, and I will continue fighting to get them that right.”