Following consultations with Sheffield City of Sanctuary, the City Council has taken the ground-breaking step of publicly calling for asylum seekers to be allowed to work. The Council's Sustainable Communities Panel is submitting the proposal to the Government's consultations on the Sustainable Communities Act.

In their submission, Councillors declare that the current rules are not morally defensible, do not support the city's aspirations as a City of Sanctuary, and do not assist community cohesion. Further, members say the current rules prohibiting employment may actually contribute to community tension and act as a challenge to the city's continued well-being and sustainability.
The proposal forms part of a manifesto developed by local people, that will be considered by the Local Government Association. It will then decide which ideas from Sheffield and elsewhere it will negotiate with Government to implement.