Rabbis from the Liberal, Masorti and Reform movements have signed a Jewish Council for Racial Equality charter, urging the government to allow asylum seekers the right to work after they have been in the UK for six months.

Jcore says many live on handouts or, at best, on £5 a day. Yet they are not allowed to work to support themselves.

Signatories were (from left) Rabbi Jon-athan Wittenberg of the New North London Synagogue,Liberal Judaism chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich and Radlett and Bushey Reform's Rabbi David Mitchell.

Rabbi Rich said: "Treatment of the poor and vulnerable is a fundamental Jewish responsibility and Jcore has taken a lead in reminding the community of this."