REFUGEES and asylum seekers seeking sanctuary in Colchester are being left in limbo and unable to work for up to two years due to a backlog of applications, it has been claimed.

Chairman of Refugee Action Colchester Philip Horner has warned some of the organisation’s service users are waiting far longer than they should be to learn their fate.

And campaigners are warning a national backlog means some are being forced to survive on a pittance in the interim.

Mr Horner said: “We are finding the process for our claimants who are applying for asylum is taking much longer than previously.

“The application process is supposed to take six months and it is currently taking up to two years, although it depends on which country they are from.

“We have been told it is a sad effect of Brexit because the Home Office are having to cope with applications for settled status from EU citizens.

“Until they actually get their status approved they generally are not allowed to work or access mainstream education.

“They can access English classes but they are very limited and they become a drain on the system rather than an asset which they all want to be. They are very much in limbo.”

New Home Office figures show dozens of refugees affected by the Syrian conflict have been resettled in Colchester.

In total, 56 people have been resettled under the Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme, which was launched in 2014 to grant humanitarian protection to those who fled the Syrian war.

These arrivals were granted refugee status from 2017.

Another two children were also granted sanctuary under a sister scheme set up in 2016.

Figures also show asylum applications in the UK are now at their highest level since the migration crisis in Europe and charities have called for the Government to clear the backlog as a matter of urgency.

Mr Horner said: “Colchester Council has been supportive and approved an application to become a borough of sanctuary but the Government rules make it difficult for public sector organisations to give a level of service below the absolute minimum to people.

“However, the community support we receive is exceptionally positive. We put appeals up on our social media pages and residents are always getting involved to help.”

The Home Office says it has moved away from a six month service standard to concentrate on older cases and those with "higher vulnerabilities".

Asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute are offered furnished accommodation and a cash allowance to cover essential living needs. This allowance is around £37 a week. 

They are allowed to work in the UK if their claim has been outstanding for 12 months, through no fault of their own, but are restricted to jobs on the Shortage Occupation List.