Janine GriffithsThe Playhouse came alive last week with colour, songs, poetry and powerful speeches from some of the most marginalised people in society.
Campaigners gathered to demand an end to the UK’s ban on work for those awaiting asylum decisions at the Lift the Ban event on February 13th.
The aim of the event was to draw attention to the deep frustration and hardship imposed by a policy that leaves thousands of asylum seekers unable to support themselves, despite possessing valuable skills and experience.
The event featured performances from asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants and aimed to draw attention to what they say is a costly and expensive policy that prevents them from contributing to the economy.
Among the most memorable moments of the evening was when one man described life as “watching the world through a window”—present, but never truly part of it. Others spoke of years spent trapped in poverty, unable to provide for their families or contribute to the country they now call home.
Fabrice, a trained truck driver from Cameroon, shared his harrowing experience of homelessness after his asylum claim was wrongly denied. “I couldn’t work, couldn’t get food, couldn’t even sleep somewhere safe.
“And all while I had a skill that I could have used to contribute,” he said. Even after finally securing the right to remain, the years of struggle have left him drained. “I feel exhausted. I’ve used all my energy just trying to survive.”
Currently, asylum seekers in the UK are barred from working for at least 12 months, and even then, only in highly specific professions such as a classical ballet dancer and offshore driller. For many skilled professionals—doctors, nurses, engineers—this rule forces them into dependence on government support, which can be as little as £8.86 per week.
Ricardo, an asylum seeker from the Democratic Republic of Congo and a tour operator by trade, highlighted the economic absurdity of the ban. “The government is losing so much money by keeping people in hotels instead of letting them work. We have skills, we want to pay taxes, but we’re not allowed to.”
Local politicians threw their support behind the campaign, including Leeds Central MP Alex Sobel. Speaking in an interview with East Side Story, he said: “People feel that the taxpayer shouldn’t be paying loads of money to support asylum seekers. But they don’t understand that there’s a rule stopping asylum seekers supporting themselves.”
But for Alex, this issue is close to his heart, because of his own family history. He explained: “I’m Jewish and my family were refugees fleeing the Nazis in the Second World War.
“I was born in Leeds, but my parents settled here. The fact that they were able to work and contribute to this country was hugely important to my family and they’ve made a massive contribution to this country, working for the government and teaching.”
Mary Brandon, Yorkshire and Humberside Campaigns Manager for asylum rights charity Asylum Matters, emphasised the urgency of reform, noting that lifting the ban could add over £300 million to the UK economy annually.
Mary Added: “This is about more than economics—it’s about dignity. People seeking asylum deserve the chance to rebuild their lives and share their talents.”
Her sentiments were echoed by Rose McCarthy, National Streams Coordinator with City of Sanctuary who said that allowing asylum seekers and refugees to work would close the skills gap.
She said: “Let people live and contribute. We will all benefit. It’s a win. It doesn’t make any sense not to. Why won’t the government do it? It doesn’t make any sense to me.
“We’re so short of money in this country and we’re short of skills. So why not let people work? I don’t understand why not. And I wish the government would let us know why not, so we could actually counteract it.”
Leeds Playhouse is a Theatre of Sanctuary which has been officially recognised for its commitment to welcoming and supporting refugees and asylum seekers.
The status is awarded by City of Sanctuary UK, an organisation that promotes inclusivity and solidarity with people seeking sanctuary.
Theatres of Sanctuary actively engage with refugees through accessible performances, outreach programs, community projects, and advocacy work. Leeds Playhouse was the first theatre in the UK to receive Theatre of Sanctuary status in 2014.
Fiona McCulloch-Exley, Director of Creative Communities at Leeds Playhouse, explained: “For over a decade, we’ve worked with refugees and people seeking asylum, offering safety, support, and connection through creativity. These individuals bring invaluable skills and experiences that strengthen our society. We stand with our colleagues, urging the government to create a fairer, more compassionate system for those seeking safety and a new life.”
As the evening concluded with moving performances of poetry and music from those affected, the message was clear: change is long overdue. Leeds, a proud City of Sanctuary, continues to lead the fight for a fairer system—one where asylum seekers are not just seen, but truly included.
