The Church of Scotland has welcomed calls to let asylum seekers work in the UK while their cases are being assessed.

Scottish Conservative MSPs have joined other political parties in urging the UK Government to “relax” the rules and allow them to take jobs.

The Rt Rev Susan Brown, Moderator of the General Assembly, said allowing asylum seekers to work would help them retain their dignity and self-worth, and to contribute to the economy.

Mrs Brown said: “The long wait while individual asylum cases are assessed could be so much easier if people were allowed the dignity of working so that they can offer to Scotland, much needed skills and expertise.

“It would mean those seeking asylum would regain a sense of worth and value and those who criticise them for being a drain on the state, would be silenced as these new arrivals contributed to the society hosting them.

“This seems to me to be a win-win for everyone concerned.”

Under present rules, asylum seekers are generally only allowed to work if they have waited more than a year for a decision on their application, and are able to ill a role on the official “shortage occupation” list.

Mrs Brown said: “I can only imagine what it feels like to have run from threat and then to be faced with a system that treats you with suspicion and bit by bit, chips away at every ounce of your confidence by not allowing you to be like everyone else.”