UK Announces Major Asylum Overhaul
The UK government announced on Saturday a sweeping overhaul of its asylum system that would sharply reduce protections for refugees and end the automatic entitlement to housing and weekly allowances for people seeking asylum.
Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood said the package — modelled on Denmark's strict approach to migration — is designed to cut irregular Channel crossings and blunt the appeal of anti-immigration parties. "I'll end the UK's golden ticket for asylum seekers," Mahmood said in a statement.
Under current rules, people granted refugee status receive five years' protection before they can apply for indefinite leave to remain and, later, citizenship. The Home Office said it will reduce that initial period to 30 months, introduce regular reviews of protection, and require refugees to return to their countries of origin once officials judge them safe.
The ministry also proposes a much longer delay before long-term settlement: refugees would have to wait 20 years before applying for permanent residence, instead of the present five years.
Benefits and support
The government plans to revoke the statutory duty introduced in 2005 that currently guarantees housing and weekly financial support for asylum seekers. Assistance would become discretionary, allowing ministers to deny support to those who can work or support themselves but refuse to do so, or to people convicted of crimes.
Asylum claims are at record levels: official figures show roughly 111,000 applications in the year to June 2025. More than 39,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats so far this year — a rise on 2024 figures, though below 2022's record total.
Denmark model and political context
Senior British officials recently visited Denmark, where the centre-left government has enacted some of Europe's toughest migration measures and successful asylum grants are at decades-low levels. In Denmark refugees typically receive a one-year renewable permit, face stricter family-reunification conditions and are encouraged to return home once authorities deem it safe.
Labour leader Keir Starmer faces pressure from surging support for the anti-immigration Reform UK party led by Nigel Farage. The Home Office called the proposals the "largest overhaul of asylum policy in modern times;" Mahmood is due to set out the measures in Parliament on Monday.
Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, warned the government the changes "will not deter" people from crossing and urged policies that allow refugees who contribute to Britain to build secure, settled lives.
Some Labour MPs on the party's left are expected to oppose the plans, concerned the measures could alienate progressive voters. The proposals are likely to trigger legal and political debate over the UK's obligations under international refugee law and human-rights commitments.
