Drastic changes are coming to Britain’s asylum policy, including longer waiting times for permanent residence and a forced return to the person’s home country once it is deemed safe.
The shift represents the biggest overhaul of policy towards asylum seekers in modern times, inspired by Denmark, which has one of the strictest policies in Europe and has come under widespread scrutiny from rights groups.
Britain’s Labor government has tightened its stance on immigration as it tries to address the rising popularity of the populist Reform UK party, which has cracked down on immigration and forced Labor to take a tougher stance.
The new changes include withdrawing the legal obligation to provide housing and financial support to certain asylum seekers, the Home Office said in a statement.
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Migrants walk along the beach before attempting to board an inflatable dinghy leaving the coast of northern France in an attempt to cross the English Channel to reach Britain, from the beach of Petit-Fort-Philippe in Gravelines, near Calais, France, September 27, 2025. (Reuters)
It also said that refugees would have to wait 20 years to apply for permanent residency instead of the current five years, that the period of initial refugee status would be reduced from five years to two and a half years, that rules around family reunification would be stricter and that refugees would be encouraged or forced to return to their home countries as soon as it is deemed safe.
The ministry said the measures would apply to asylum seekers who can work but choose not to, and to those who break the law. Taxpayer-funded support would be prioritized for people contributing to the economy and local communities.
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Migrants walk along the beach before attempting to board an inflatable dinghy leaving the coast of northern France in an attempt to cross the English Channel to reach Britain, from the beach of Petit-Fort-Philippe in Gravelines, near Calais, France, August 25, 2025. (Reuters)
The Home Office said the changes aim to make Britain less attractive to illegal migrants and make it easier to remove people whose claims are rejected.
“This country has a proud tradition of welcoming people fleeing danger, but our generosity is luring illegal migrants across the Channel,” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said. “The pace and scale of migration is putting enormous pressure on communities.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the changes aim to make Britain less attractive to illegal migrants and make it easier to remove people whose claims are rejected. (Getty Images)
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More than a hundred UK charities called on Mahmood to “end scapegoating of migrants and performative policies that only cause harm”, arguing the measures fuel racism and violence.
The UK Refugee Council said on X that refugees do not compare asylum systems when trying to escape danger. It said they are aiming for Britain because of family ties, some knowledge of English or connections that could help them start over safely.
Reuters contributed to this report.
