Britain To Announce ‘Most Significant’ Changes To Asylum Rules On Monday

Britain To Announce ‘Most Significant’ Changes To Asylum Rules On Monday

Britain has announced plans to introduce reforms in its asylum seeker policies, overhauling immigration rules amid surging anti-immigrant sentiment and challenges from right-wing parties.

According to CNN, the new policy, which will be unveiled by the ruling Labour government in full on Monday, is partially modeled on Denmark's approach, which has one of Europe's toughest rules for refugees.

The ruling party has been hardening its immigration policies, especially on illegal small-boat crossings from France. This is to counter the Reform UK party which advocates for “freezing immigration" and “stopping the boats".

CNN reported that Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to announce an end to permanent protection for refugees and cuts to living allowances among a series of reforms designed to make Britain less attractive to illegal migrants.

“On Monday, I will announce the most significant changes to our asylum system in modern times," Mahmood said in a video posted on X. “We need to reduce the numbers coming here illegally. We need to remove more people who have no right to be here. We will always be a country that gives sanctuary to those fleeing danger, but we must restore order and control."

Some of the key changes the government plans to enact include forcing people arriving illegally to wait 20 years before they can apply for permanent settlement while the applicants will be reviewed every 30 months and those whose countries are deemed safe will be made to return. Meanwhile, those who reach Britain legally will face a 10-year pathway to permanent settlement, which is double the current wait.

CNN quoted Mahmood, daughter of immigrants from the Pakistani side of Kashmir, warning of a “more divided" nation if the UK does not tackle the rising number of illegal migrants arriving in Britain.

“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," she told the Sunday Times.

The UK's new policy has been inspired from Denmark and other European countries where refugee status is temporary. “The UK will now match and in some areas exceed these standards," the Home Office said in a statement.

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The policy has been criticised by Britain's Refugee Council who staid: “People who have been persecuted, tortured or seen family members killed in brutal wars are not ‘asylum shopping'… refugees don't compare asylum systems before running for their lives."

“We know why people come to the UK: because they already have family here, they speak some English, or they have long-standing ties that help them rebuild their lives in safety," they said on X.

Source: News18
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