UK to Unveil Major Asylum Overhaul — 20-Year Bar for Illegal Arrivals and Temporary Refugee Status

UK announces sweeping asylum reforms inspired by Denmark

The UK government has said it will publish what officials describe as the most significant overhaul of its asylum system in years, rewriting immigration rules amid rising anti-immigrant sentiment and political pressure from right-wing parties.

The full package, due to be published on Monday, draws on aspects of Denmark’s approach — which has among Europe’s toughest refugee rules — and is intended to reduce small-boat crossings from France and other irregular arrivals.

Key measures proposed

• 20-year bar — People who arrive illegally would be prevented from applying for permanent settlement for 20 years.
• Temporary refugee status — Refugee protection would be granted on a temporary basis and reviewed every 30 months; people from countries deemed safe could be required to return.
• Longer legal route — Those who arrive via legal routes would face a 10-year pathway to permanent settlement, double the current five-year period.
• Reduced support — Living allowances and other supports for some asylum seekers may be reduced as part of a broader package to discourage irregular arrivals.

Government rationale

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said in a video posted on X that the reforms are intended to "restore order and control" and to reduce the numbers arriving illegally. She framed the changes as necessary to unite a country she warned is being "torn apart" by illegal migration.

“On Monday, I will announce the most significant changes to our asylum system in modern times… We will always be a country that gives sanctuary to those fleeing danger, but we must restore order and control.” — Shabana Mahmood

Political context

Labour has moved toward tougher migration measures in part to blunt the appeal of the populist Reform UK party and respond to public concern over small-boat crossings. The issue has put the party under pressure from both its left and right: progressives warn against harsh measures, while critics on the right argue current policy is too lenient.

The previous Conservative government pursued measures such as a controversial Rwanda deportation scheme; Mahmood said the UK spent roughly £700 million ($920 million) on that plan and that only four people were deported — all volunteers.

Denmark comparison and criticism

The Home Office said the UK will match — and in some areas exceed — standards used in Denmark and other European states where refugee status is typically temporary, support is conditional, and integration is expected. Officials pointed to Denmark’s decline in asylum claims and a high removal rate for rejected applicants.

However, rights groups have strongly criticised Denmark’s model. Critics say it creates a hostile environment for asylum seekers, undermines long-term protection, and leaves people in prolonged uncertainty.

Reactions from charities and advocates

Britain’s Refugee Council warned the proposals risk harming vulnerable people. The charity emphasised that many refugees come to the UK because of family ties or language skills, not to ‘‘shop’’ for better systems, and cautioned that temporary status and long waits could prolong hardship for people fleeing persecution.

Numbers and immediate impact

Mahmood said: "In the last four years, 400,000 people claimed asylum here. Over 100,000 are housed and supported at taxpayers’ expense, putting huge pressure on local communities." The government argues the measures will reduce irregular arrivals and ease pressure on public services; opponents say the reforms could create human-rights challenges and legal complications.

The government’s proposals are expected to spark legal and political debate as the full details are published and examined by Parliament, charities and campaigners.