Strategic integration areas

Refugees bring a wealth of skills and experience to Yorkshire and Humber, and yet face significant barriers to accessing the labour market. Recent data shows that the employment rate among refugees in the UK is just over 50%, compared to 73% for the UK-born population. One major factor is the relative lack of recognition of the skills, qualifications, and work experience that refugees bring with them to the region. Language, the lack of understanding of UK job markets, and poor health are also major barriers.

Refugees also face discrimination and lack of equal opportunities in labour markets and in work, and often engage in employment below their skills and qualification levels and with little chance of progression to their desired occupations. Specific groups of refugees, such as women and young people (including those leaving care), face additional barriers, including different cultural and gender norms and lack of access to education or tailored training and support.

Many refugees aspire to become self-employed and create businesses but face specific barriers. They often do not have access to guidance and advice about the process of opening and running businesses in the UK and require additional help. Even when they have the required skills and good business plans, refugee entrepreneurs often lack access to funding such as loans and grants.

Employers and businesses are often unaware of the employment rights and entitlements of different categories of immigration status and have little understanding of the skills and experience that refugees bring to the region. Even when there is the will to help refugees, businesses often lack support, engagement with relevant partners, and knowledge about how they can make a difference.

Barriers to economic integration

• Limited knowledge of English

• Lack of recognition of qualifications

• Poor physical and mental health

• Limited education and training opportunities

• Lack of meaningful volunteering and work experience

• Lack of awareness of refugee talent in businesses

• Structural discrimination

Refugees experience similar barriers to accessing higher education, vocational training, volunteering, and work experience opportunities. Lack of immediate access to labour markets makes these opportunities even more important for the successful economic integration of refugees, but they rarely meet the specific needs of refugees. Economic integration is a long-term process, and individual refugees often need tailored and sustainable support through all its stages, from employability training to job retention and progression. 

The lack of full economic integration, including underemployment, often leads to frustration, loss of status, and can exacerbate mental health issues. This is particularly the case for asylum seekers, who are usually not allowed to work and have little to no access to employability support and training from day one. Refugees often arrive with expectations that they will find work and become self-sufficient quickly but realise that they face numerous barriers to achieving it. This also makes refugees and asylum seekers more vulnerable to labour exploitation, trafficking, and modern slavery. 

The fulfilment of the economic integration aspirations of refugees requires significant positive action by a range of stakeholders, and Yorkshire and Humber have numerous examples of good practice in this field. However, the short-term nature of funding and underdeveloped engagement with employers prevents local organisations from providing sustainable support and matching the skills and experience of refugees with the needs of local labour markets. The economic impacts of Brexit and Covid-19 have led to a growing interest from employers in recruiting staff from refugee backgrounds, and they may require support to enable this to happen. 

Economic integration priorities

• The skills, qualifications and work experience of refugees are assessed and recognised at the earliest opportunity

• All refugees and asylum seekers have access to welfare support or emergency relief when needed, preventing destitution

• Refugees access tailored and sustainable employment and business development support programmes that meet their diverse needs and are relevant to local labour markets

• Refugees access higher education, training, volunteering and work experience opportunities that meet their aspirations and increase their employability

• Employers and businesses are aware of the rights and needs of refugees and actively promote refugee employment