The Government is considering expanding the rights of asylum seekers with an MP calling on the Home Office to "lift the ban" on them working in the UK.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said asylum seekers can already work in some circumstances, but said the Home Office is currently reviewing whether their rights to work can be extended.

Labour MP Catherine West (Hornsey and Wood Green) called for asylum seekers to have the right to work in the UK after they have lodged their applications for asylum.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Ms West said: "Last December, the Secretary of State, the Homer Secretary said that he would look into lifting the ban on asylum seekers working.

"Could he please today say what his view is?"

Mr Javid replied: "Under certain circumstances asylum seekers can work, after a year and if the occupation is on the shortage occupation list.

"You are quite right, I have said, and we continue to look at how we can change that and how we can expand those rights potentially, and that work is under review, and we will report to the House in due course."