Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will unveil what the government calls "the largest overhaul of asylum policy in modern times" this week, ending the legal requirement to provide automatic accommodation and financial support to asylum seekers. The radical measures aim to prevent the UK from being a "magnet for illegal migrants" by scrapping guaranteed handouts that currently exceed international obligations.
The new approach draws directly from Denmark's system, which reduced asylum applications to their lowest level in 40 years and deports 95% of rejected claimants. Under the proposed changes, illegal arrivals will face a 20-year waiting period to qualify for permanent residency. The Home Office will gain powers to deny assistance to those who can work, have assets, fail to comply with removal directions, engage in criminality, or work illegally.
Mahmood told the Sunday Times: "I can see — and I know my colleagues can — that illegal migration is tearing our country apart. It's our job as a Labour government to unite our country and if we don't sort this out, I think our country becomes much more divided." She added: "This week, I will set out the most sweeping changes to our asylum system in a generation. We will restore order and control to our borders."
Political battle lines
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch offered to work with Labour "in the national interest" to strengthen the asylum system, but demanded action to reduce asylum claimant numbers.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp dismissed some measures as "gimmicks," stating in a statement: "The truth is this Labour government is incapable of getting any real change past their left-wing backbenchers [...]." Reform UK's head of policy Zia Yusuf claimed in a statement: "No one in their right mind believes that Labour will get a grip on the asylum crisis."
Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, warned in a statement against making the system "more punitive," arguing: "Men, women and children seek safety in the UK because they have family here, they speak some English, or they have long-standing ties that help them rebuild their lives in safety." The organization called the changes "harsh and unnecessary," warning they would force more vulnerable people to sleep rough.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
