Britain announces largest asylum policy overhaul in modern times

Britain launch the largest overhaul of policy on asylum seekers in modern times, drawing inspiration from Denmark’s approach, one of the toughest in Europe and widely criticised by rights groups.

The Labour government has been hardening its immigration policies, particularly on illegal small-boat crossings from France, as it seeks to stem the surging popularity of the populist Reform UK party, which has driven the immigration agenda and forced Labour to adopt a tougher line.

The department, led by Shabana Mahmood, said the measures would apply to asylum seekers who can work but choose not to, and to those who break the law. It said that taxpayer-funded support would be prioritised for those contributing to the economy and local communities.

Mahmood is expected to provide further details on Monday about the measures, which the Home Office says are designed to make Britain less attractive to illegal migrants and make it easier to remove them.

According to British media, there is a plan to increase the eligibility period for permanent residency from five years to twenty years. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will present her plan in Parliament tomorrow. Under the new law, the duration of temporary asylum will be reduced from five years to two and a half years.

The status of asylum seekers will be reviewed regularly, and if their home countries are declared safe, they will be sent back. According to the British government, the rules are being changed to discourage those who enter the UK illegally.

More than 100 British charities wrote to Mahmood, urging her to “end the scapegoating of migrants and performative policies that only cause harm”, saying such steps are fuelling racism and violence.

Polls suggest immigration has overtaken the economy as voters’ top concern. Some 109,343 people claimed asylum in the UK in the year ending March 2025, a 17% rise on the previous year and 6% above the 2002 peak of 103,081.