Revolutionary Shift: UK Will Limit Refugee Asylum to Temporary Stays

In a controversial policy shift, the UK is set to announce that people granted asylum will only be allowed to stay temporarily. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to declare that the traditional notion of permanent protection for refugees is being replaced, following a model inspired by Denmark’s strict asylum policies.

Currently, successful asylum seekers in the UK are granted a five-year status after which they can apply for indefinite leave to remain and citizenship. Under the new plan, their status will be regularly reviewed, and they may have to return to their home countries when it is deemed safe. Mahmood’s approach, described as a “significant shift”, aims to reduce the number of asylum claims and discourage dangerous small boat crossings.

In Denmark, refugees receive temporary residence permits, typically lasting two years, and they must reapply for asylum upon expiration. This model seems appealing to UK officials, as it has also contributed to a significant decline in successful claims. Mahmood believes that the UK’s current generosity acts as a magnet for asylum seekers, leading to increased illegal crossings. In a bid to restore order and control, she argues that Denmark’s stricter policies may be the way forward for the UK.

However, the proposed changes may face backlash from within the Labour Party, with critics arguing that emulating Denmark echoes far-right sentiments. Labour MP Clive Lewis has expressed concerns that such policies may alienate progressive voters. Furthermore, Mahmood might warn her colleagues that if they oppose her approach, it could lead to a rise in support for more extreme anti-immigration parties like Reform UK.

Despite the controversy, Mahmood believes that Denmark’s model, which aligns with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), should be adapted to the UK’s needs, with a focus on balancing the rights of asylum seekers against the necessity of tightening border controls. She hopes that if her policies effectively reduce asylum numbers, they could strengthen public trust in the Labour party on immigration issues.