A small UK party drives the country's immigration agenda

Britain is set to implement one of the most sweeping overhauls of its asylum system in modern times, making refugee status temporary and extending the wait for permanent settlement to 20 years.

The Labour government says the reforms are aimed at addressing public concern over immigration, particularly the rising influence of the populist Reform UK party, which has successfully pushed migration to the top of the political agenda.

According to Reuters, Labour has hardened its stance on illegal small-boat crossings from France and other immigration issues, a move analysts say is largely in response to Reform UK’s growing popularity.

The party has gained traction by campaigning on a law-and-order and anti-immigration platform, forcing the government to adjust policies to avoid losing voters to the populist rival.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the reforms would take inspiration from Denmark, known for one of Europe’s strictest asylum regimes, where temporary refugee status, conditional support, and longer paths to citizenship are standard.

Rights groups have widely criticised Denmark’s approach as fostering a hostile environment for migrants.

Under the new UK measures, the statutory duty to provide housing and weekly allowances to certain asylum seekers will be revoked, Reuters quoted the Home Office as saying in a statement late Saturday.

The changes will particularly affect asylum seekers who can work but choose not to, or who break the law. Taxpayer-funded support will be prioritised for those contributing to the economy and local communities.

“Our system is particularly generous compared to other countries in Europe, where after five years, you’re effectively automatically settled in this country. We will change that,” Mahmood told Sky News on Sunday.

She added that refugee status would now be reviewed every two-and-a-half years, with a much longer path to permanent settlement of 20 years.

Mahmood is expected to provide further details on Monday, including changes to how Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights — the right to family life — will be interpreted.

The government has stressed that it remains committed to staying in the ECHR but wants to change interpretations it says have been used to frustrate deportations under existing immigration rules.

UK’s stricter asylum policies slammed

The tougher approach has drawn criticism from charities and human rights groups. More than 100 organisations wrote to Mahmood urging her to “end the scapegoating of migrants and performative policies that only cause harm,” warning that such measures fuel racism and violence.

Public concern over immigration has risen sharply. Polls indicate it has overtaken the economy as voters’ top issue, and protests have erupted outside hotels housing asylum seekers. The Home Office reported 109,343 asylum claims in the year ending March 2025, a 17% increase from the previous year and above the 2002 peak.

Mahmood said the government plans to expand “safe and legal” routes for asylum seekers, while aligning the UK’s policies with Denmark and other European countries where temporary residence permits, conditional support, and mandatory integration expectations are standard. Denmark’s policies have reportedly cut asylum claims to a 40-year low and allowed deportation of 95% of rejected applicants.

Rights groups, including the Refugee Council, have pushed back, noting that refugees often choose the UK due to family ties, English language skills, or existing support networks, and not by comparing asylum systems across countries.

With inputs from agencies