Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says the UK’s asylum system is facing unprecedented strain, announcing plans for a major overhaul aimed at reducing illegal migration and restoring “order and control” at the border.
The proposals, which will be detailed in Parliament on Monday, include a new rule requiring people who arrive in the UK illegally to wait 20 years before being allowed to apply for permanent residency. Refugee status would also no longer be guaranteed long term, instead becoming temporary and subject to continual review. If a person’s home country is later judged safe, they would be required to return.
Mahmood said illegal migration is “polarising communities” and creating tension across the country, but rejected claims that Labour’s tougher stance is racially motivated. She pointed to her own family history, noting that her parents arrived in the UK as immigrants decades ago.
Immigration and Citizenship Minister Mike Tapp said the public is exhausted with what he described as “asylum shopping” across Europe, arguing that the new rules will bring a fairer but firmer system. He added that the 20 year period could be shortened for individuals who clearly contribute and integrate into society.
The approach draws heavily from Denmark, where similar measures have led to a sharp decline in asylum applications. Senior Home Office officials visited Copenhagen earlier this year to study the model, which has focused on reducing incentives for people to travel irregularly.
As part of the reform package, the automatic obligation to provide housing and financial assistance to asylum seekers, a policy originally tied to EU rules, will be removed. Those who have permission to work but fail to support themselves may lose access to accommodation and benefits.
The announcement has sparked political disagreement. Conservatives argue Labour’s plans are still too soft, while critics on the left claim the new measures are a reaction to pressure from rising anti immigration sentiment. Protests at hotels housing asylum seekers have continued around the country in recent months, highlighting ongoing tensions.
The shake up comes as Channel crossings continue to rise. More than 39,000 people have arrived by small boat so far this year, surpassing levels seen in 2023 and 2024.
Mahmood insists that while the UK will continue to provide protection to people fleeing conflict, the system must be rebalanced. “Our generosity cannot become a magnet for dangerous journeys,” she said, promising the most significant set of reforms in a generation.
Source: LBC
