UK Government Slams Brakes on Refugee Status, Targets Irregular Migration
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Britain's Interior Minister, Shabana Mahmood, has defended the government's plans to overhaul the refugee system, citing the need to curb irregular migration. The proposals aim to drastically reduce protections for refugees and end automatic benefits for asylum seekers. The measures, inspired by Denmark's strict asylum system, aim to stop thousands of migrants from arriving in England from northern France on small boats. However, critics argue that the plans are an attempt to counter a hard-right surge in popularity. The centre-right opposition Conservatives and the Refugee Council charity have expressed concerns over the proposals, with the Refugee Council branding them "harsh and unnecessary." Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has hit back, stating that the plans are a "moral mission" to address the issue of illegal migration. Under the new system, refugees will be granted status for 30 months, which will be regularly reviewed, and they will be forced to return to their home countries once deemed safe. Additionally, asylum seekers will have to wait 20 years before applying for indefinite leave to remain and eventually citizenship. The government has also announced plans to make it harder for irregular migrants and foreign criminals to use the European Convention on Human Rights to stop deportation. Asylum claims in Britain are at a record high, with over 111,000 applications made in the year to June 2025. The proposals also include revoking a statutory legal duty to provide support to asylum seekers, making housing and financial allowances discretionary. This means that asylum seekers who can work or support themselves but do not will no longer be guaranteed assistance. The Danish model, which Labour is drawing inspiration from, has implemented some of the strictest migration policies in Europe. However, critics argue that the plans will not deter crossings and will instead push refugees into poverty and uncertainty. The government's tougher stance on immigration has sparked debate, with some arguing that it will lose voters to progressive alternatives such as the Greens. The proposals are set to be opposed by left-wing lawmakers within the Labour government and the centre-right opposition Conservatives.
