The British government is set to introduce a series of stringent asylum reforms, inspired by Denmark’s model, aimed at reducing illegal immigration and addressing the political controversy surrounding unauthorized Channel crossings. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will unveil the policy changes in the House of Commons on Monday, marking the latest effort to deter asylum seekers and streamline the removal of those deemed ineligible for refuge. Mahmood described the initiative as a moral imperative to secure borders and heal a nation divided over immigration, a contentious issue that has bolstered the hard-right Reform UK Party. Despite her migrant heritage, Mahmood denied that the Labour Party is adopting far-right rhetoric, emphasizing the need to address systemic flaws and prevent abuse of the asylum system. The reforms include revoking the UK’s legal obligation, established under EU law in 2005, to support asylum seekers, potentially stripping them of housing and financial allowances. Benefits may also be withheld from individuals who fail to work legally or violate laws. Additionally, refugee status will undergo regular reviews to assess the possibility of safe repatriation. The government plans to establish safer pathways for asylum claims, reducing the reliance on perilous Channel crossings. Critics, including Conservative MP Chris Philp, argue that the reforms are insufficient and lack the impact of the previously abandoned Rwanda policy. Philp dismissed the measures as superficial, likening them to ‘rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.’ The Home Office, however, highlighted Denmark’s success in reducing asylum applications and removing 95% of ineligible applicants as a model for the UK’s new approach. Denmark, once a refuge for migrants, has faced international criticism for its restrictive policies amid Europe’s broader struggle with mass migration driven by conflict, famine, and poverty.
UK government poised to overhaul its asylum system as a political storm brews over migration
