The situation of asylum seekers living in St Albans hotels has been described as "unbearable and inhumane" by the city's Liberal Democrats.
On Monday, December 6, St Albans district council passed a motion that will see its leader, Cllr Chris White, write to the Home Secretary about the delay in processing refugee applications.
According to the Liberal Democrats, many asylum seekers have been living in the same hotel room for over two years and are not able to legally work.
The motion concludes that the processing time for asylum seekers should be six months, and that allowing asylum seekers to work would "benefit the individuals, St Albans City and District, and the national economy".
Liberal Democrat councillor Giles Fry said: "I’m so pleased that this motion has been passed.
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"Asylum seekers across the UK are suffering in limbo as they are unable to work or move on with their lives.
"It is imperative that they are not forced to wait indeterminately for a decision without any means to work or contribute to society.
‘’This motion is, at the very least, a step in the right direction towards the recognition of these asylum seekers’ suffering.’’
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