The United Kingdom has announced plans to significantly reduce protections for asylum seekers and refugees, a move aimed at addressing irregular immigration. This initiative draws inspiration from Denmark’s stringent asylum policies and was revealed as Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces increasing pressure from the anti-immigrant Reform UK party.
Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood described the new proposals as the “largest overhaul of asylum policy in modern times.” She is set to present these policies in Parliament. The proposed changes include reducing the duration of refugee status from five years to 30 months, with regular reviews determining if refugees can remain based on the safety of their home countries. Additionally, refugees granted asylum would have to wait 20 years before seeking long-term residency in the UK.
Currently, the UK faces record-high asylum claims, with 109,343 applications in the year ending March 2025, a 17% increase from the previous year. The Home Office contends that these reforms will deter irregular migrants and simplify the removal of those already in the country. The government plans to revoke a statutory legal duty introduced in 2005 that guaranteed housing and financial support for asylum seekers, making it discretionary based on individual circumstances.
Concerns have been raised by organizations such as the Refugee Council, which warned that these measures might not effectively prevent people from seeking asylum in the UK. The council advocated for policies that would allow refugees to contribute to society and build stable lives.
The announcement comes as public interest in immigration issues rises, overtaking economic concerns in voter polls. More than 39,000 people have arrived in the UK this year through dangerous crossings, contributing to a growing political debate about immigration policy and its implications for societal attitudes.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/16/uk-to-end-golden-ticket-for-asylum-seekers-in-huge-policy-overhaul?traffic_source=rss