The UK said it would make refugee status temporary and the wait for permanent settlement would quadruple in 20 years, under the widest review of asylum seeker policy in modern times.
The Labour government has tightened its immigration policies, most notably on illegal crossings by small boats from France, in an attempt to curb the growing popularity of the populist Reform UK party, which has pushed forward the immigration agenda.
The government said it would take inspiration from Denmark's approach, one of the strictest in Europe — where anti-immigration sentiment has grown and led to increased restrictions in many countries — and widely criticized by rights groups.
Temporary status subject to review
As part of the changes, the legal obligation to provide support to some asylum seekers, including housing and weekly payments, will be abolished, the Home Office said in a statement issued late on Saturday.
The department, led by Shabana Mahmood, said the measures would apply to asylum seekers who could work but choose not to, as well as those who break the law. It said the taxpayer-funded support would prioritise those who contribute to the economy and local communities.
The Home Office also said that protection for refugees "will now be temporary, reviewed regularly and revoked" if their country of origin is deemed safe.
"Our system is particularly generous compared to other countries in Europe, where after five years, you are practically automatically placed in this country. We are going to change that," Mahmood told Sky News on Sunday.
She added that, under the changes, a refugee's status would be reviewed every two and a half years, during "a much longer path to permanent settlement in this country of 20 years."
Mahmood said he would provide more details about the changes on Monday, including a notice on Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The government has said it wants to remain in the ECHR, but change the way it interprets the provision of Article 8, which covers the right to a family life.
Mahmood said the article was being applied "in a way that is intended to prevent the removal of those who, under our immigration rules, would not have the right to be in this country."
The government's tougher approach has faced criticism. More than 100 British charities have written to Mahmood, calling on him to "stop migrant-blaming and performative policies that only cause harm", saying the steps are fuelling racism and violence.
Polls suggest that immigration has overtaken the economy as the top concern for British voters. Over the summer, protests were held outside hotels that house asylum seekers at taxpayer expense.
In total, 109.343 people sought asylum in the UK in the year ending March 2025, a 17% increase on the previous year and 6% above the 2002 peak of 103.081 claims.
Mahmood said the government would aim to open up more "safe and legal" routes for asylum seekers, as she believes Britain must play its part in helping those fleeing danger.
The United Kingdom, inspired by Denmark and other European countries
The Interior Ministry said its reforms would aim to "match and in some areas exceed" the standards of Denmark and other European countries, where refugee status is temporary, support is conditional and integration into society is expected.
Asylum seekers receive temporary residence permits under Denmark's approach, usually for two years, and they must reapply when these expire. They can be repatriated if their country of origin is deemed safe, and the path to citizenship is also extended.
The Interior Ministry said Denmark's more restrictive immigration policies had reduced asylum applications to the lowest level in 40 years and had resulted in the deportation of 95% of rejected applicants.
Denmark's reforms, implemented while it remains a signatory to the ECHR, have drawn strong criticism. Rights groups say the measures create a hostile climate for migrants, undermine protections and leave asylum seekers in prolonged uncertainty.
The British Refugee Council said in X that refugees do not compare asylum systems as they flee danger and that they come to the UK because of family ties, knowledge of the English language or existing connections that help them start their new lives in safety./ REL
