CONFIDENTIAL
2(h)
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RIGHTS
LINE TO TAKE
The United Kingdom complies fully with the stipulations of the
Convention.
We have entered a reservation to Article 17 in respect of the time it
takes a refugee to achieve permanent residence. Most social rights
are equal to those of our own nationals.
BACKGROUND
Despite the increasing burden of asylum-seekers which is reaching the
developed countries, including the United Kingdom, HMG has not only
maintained the availability of economic and social entitlements to re-
cognised refugees but has followed the letter and Spirit of Excom Resolutions which have sought to devolve similar benefits (insofar as they are applicable) to asylum seekers generally.
Refugees enjoy equal entitlement to benefits and rights of association with British Subjects. They suffer no disadvantage with regard to the
availability of employment or housing. In only one respect, that of
suffrage, are they less entitled than the British citizen.
Asylum seekers have access, subject to proved need and normal entitlement,
to social benefits. As a result of recommendations made to Ministers in
last year's report of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Race Relations and Immigration (SCORRI), entitlement to seek employment (and thereby unemployment benefit) six months after an asylum claim had been lodged
was announced.
CONFIDENTIAL
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