A fairer UK asylum system for refugee entrepreneurs

New report shares key recommendations for refugee entrepreneurship in the UK

The Commission on the Integration of Refugees has just released its flagship report From Arrival To Integration: Building Communities For Refugees And For Britain. The report highlights how for 25 years the Government has been prioritising policies that focus on asylum management instead of inclusion. It evidences the shortfalls of the asylum system and calls for ambitious reform to reset the system and improve outcomes for all. At TERN, we see the impact of these shortfalls every day:

• Two-thirds of applicants to our community are unemployed
• Close to half of applicants to our community struggle to meet their basic needs each month
• 13,000 refugee entrepreneurs in the UK do not currently have any access to business support. This is despite 60% having previous experience starting or managing a business.

As a result, we were particularly excited that recommendation 12 in the Commission's report focused on the entrepreneurial ambitions of refugees.

Recommendation 12

"Make people in the asylum system eligible for jobs on the Shortage Occupation List from day one. Consideration should be given to a Government-backed finance scheme to assist those granted refugee status who wish to set up in business."

Over the last 7 years, we have increasingly seen that systemic exclusion from finance is one of the most significant barriers to business growth for refugee entrepreneurs. Evidence from our community suggests that despite 84% considering finance essential for the growth of their business, two-thirds have never applied for finance and are unaware of any options suitable for their business.

This is what led us to establish Skylight Ventures ; a new independent organisation specifically focused on creating an inclusive funding ecosystem that meets the needs of refugee entrepreneurs at every stage of business development.

Giving asylum seekers the right to self-employment

In recommendation 12, the report further states that there are "strong arguments for allowing people in the asylum system to become self-employed from day one.”

Since TERN started, we have had to turn away more than 100 aspiring entrepreneurs because they are currently seeking asylum and do not have the right to self-employment. This denial of the basic right to aspiration and autonomy is a cruel side-product of a wider policy that brings no economic or social benefit to our communities.?

We strongly agree with the suggestion that correcting this exclusion for asylum seekers should be a foundation for progress in any changes to our asylum system.?

Moving forward

The report leaves no doubt that the current asylum system is broken, calling for ambitious yet realistic improvements. The proposed changes would make critical progress towards making the UK a place where all refugees and asylum seekers have a fair chance of building a livelihood. This benefits us all, with the potential to unlock “￡1.2 billion in economic benefit” for the UK within five years.

We hope the Government considers the report’s recommendations with urgency.