Government to make main assertion to nation in Parliament at 3.30pm as criticism grows
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will lay out a series of reforms to the asylum system in the House of Commons on Monday aimed at making Britain a less attractive destination for illegal migrants
Sweeping changes are coming to Britan’s asylum system – and we’ll find out offcially what they are at 3.30pm today. The Home Secretary has pledged to “restore order” to Britain’s asylum system through “sweeping changes” based on Denmark’s model.
Shabana Mahmood will unveil a raft of asylum system reforms in the House of Commons today designed to make Britain a less appealing destination for illegal migrants and streamline their removal from the UK. Described as the most significant asylum policy shake-up in recent history, the tightening of Britain’s asylum controls will bring the UK in line with international standards, the Home Office claims.
Officials argue that Britain’s current asylum offer is more generous than neighbouring European countries, where restrictions are being strengthened. Ms Mahmood plans to scrap the legal obligation to provide asylum-seeker support, which was brought in through EU legislation in 2005.
This change means accommodation and weekly payments will no longer be automatically provided to asylum seekers, in an effort to reduce the pull factor for migrants making Channel crossings to seek sanctuary in Britain.
Individuals with UK work entitlements who can support themselves financially but choose not to may also lose access to housing and benefits under these proposals. Asylum seekers who break the law could similarly face withdrawal of such assistance.
The Home Secretary stated: “This country has a proud tradition of welcoming those fleeing danger, but our generosity is drawing illegal migrants across the Channel. The pace and scale of migration is placing immense pressure on communities.
“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.”
The Home Secretary meanwhile told The Sunday Times newspaper the changes are “designed to essentially say to people: do not come to this country as an illegal migrant, do not get on a boat”.
Ministers have drawn lessons from Denmark’s stringent asylum approach, where a government of similar political persuasion to Labour has succeeded in eliminating incentives that attract people to the nation, whilst boosting deportations of illegal migrants.
Senior Home Office officials were sent to Copenhagen, the Danish capital, to study the country’s asylum policy earlier this year. The Scandinavian nation has slashed asylum applications to their lowest level in four decades and successfully expelled 95% of rejected asylum seekers.
Simultaneously, Denmark maintains its commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights, an international agreement that has attracted criticism from some on the political right, who argue it hinders efforts to deport illegal migrants.
Denmark’s stricter regulations on family reunification are also under consideration. In another part of her announcement, the Home Secretary is expected to reveal that refugee status will become temporary and subject to regular review under the proposed changes. Refugees will be sent back as soon as their home nations are considered safe.
Current regulations grant refugee status for five years, after which individuals can apply for indefinite leave to remain and pursue a path to citizenship. The Sunday Times has revealed that the overhaul will also involve lengthening the waiting period for refugees seeking permanent settlement.
Meanwhile, The Observer has reported that fresh safe and legal pathways will be established to reduce perilous small boat crossings of the English Channel. Local communities will have the opportunity to sponsor individual refugees through a model similar to the Homes for Ukraine initiative, where Britons welcomed those in need into their homes.
Additional changes expected to be unveiled include mandating judges to place public safety above migrants’ rights to family life, or the possibility they may face “inhuman” treatment upon return to their homeland, according to The Daily Telegraph.
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