Facing the rise of the far right, Britain continues to tighten its immigration policy. A Labor government would reduce the protection given to refugees “forced to return to their home country as soon as it is deemed safe”announced Saturday, November 15, the Ministry of Home Affairs in a press release.
The duration of their residency permits will be reduced from five years to thirty months, and the time required to apply to become permanent residents will be multiplied by four, from five to twenty years, he said. Refugees who want to become permanent residents more quickly “must work or study”he added again.
Additionally, asylum seekers no longer benefit from automatic access to social assistance.
The measures are part of sweeping reforms by the Labor government aimed at reducing the number of migrants arriving in Britain, and to respond to criticism that has pushed Nigel Farage’s anti-immigration British Reform party to the top of opinion polls for months. All measures are to be detailed on Monday before Parliament by Home Minister Shabana Mahmood.
“The ‘golden ticket’ has increased asylum requests in the UK, prompting people across Europe, via safe countries, to board emergency boats.”said the minister, quoted Saturday in his press release. I will end this golden ticket. »
“Thanks to much better conditions in England”Refugees can currently apply to settle permanently, free of charge, after five years in the UK, “without contributing” in this country, the ministry assured.
Right-wing protests
Coming to power in the summer of 2024, Keir Starmer’s government has come under almost daily pressure to curb migrant arrivals and limit their rights. This summer, many demonstrations took place in front of hotels housing asylum seekers and a demonstration organized by far-right groups in London in mid-September was attended by up to 150,000 people according to police.
In this context, Keir Starmer’s government has promised to reduce the number of migrants crossing the English Channel in makeshift boats. No success so far.
Since 1uh In January, 39,292 people landed on British shores after this dangerous crossing, a figure that exceeds the figure for 2024 (36,816). Additionally, asylum applications increased by 18% in 2024 in the UK, while asylum applications fell by 13% across the European Union in the same period, according to government figures. More than 400,000 requests have been recorded since 2021, compared with 150,000 in the 2011-2015 period, according to official figures.
Danish model
For the government, the aim is clear: to make Britain less attractive to migrants. The ministry stressed that it was inspired by Denmark’s example of reforms. This Scandinavian country of 6 million people, led by the Social Democrats since 2019, adheres to a strict policy regarding the right to asylum. Therefore, refugees obtain residence permits, which are generally valid for two years, and can be extended, but are encouraged to return as soon as the authorities consider that the need for protection has disappeared. Family reunification is also subject to strict requirements, including language tests for new arrivals.
In recent weeks, senior British officials have visited Denmark to study the system in detail, and see what measures could be implemented in the UK.
Restricting refugee protection is a measure previously championed by Reform UK. Nigel Farage’s party announced that if they come to power, they will force migrants – including those already regularly registered – to apply for visas every five years. But Labor’s left-wing group said it opposed the restrictions, and warned that the party, which is bottoming in opinion polls, would lose many voters.
