The new policy package — to be detailed in full on Monday by the Labour government — is partly modeled on Denmark’s system, which is among the toughest in Europe.
Labour has increasingly hardened its stance on immigration, particularly on illegal small-boat crossings from France, in response to the growing influence of the populist Reform UK party, which campaigns on “freezing immigration” and “stopping the boats.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to announce measures including an end to permanent protection for refugees and reductions in living allowances, all aimed at making Britain a less attractive destination for illegal migration.
“On Monday, I will announce the most significant changes to our asylum system in modern times,” Mahmood said in a video posted on X. “We need to reduce the numbers coming here illegally. We need to remove more people who have no right to be here. We will always be a country that gives sanctuary to those fleeing danger, but we must restore order and control.”
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Mahmood previewed the overhaul, outlining several major reforms. Among them is a requirement that people who arrive illegally wait 20 years before applying for permanent settlement.
Refugee status will become temporary, reviewed every 30 months, with individuals returned if their home countries are deemed safe. Those who arrive legally will face a 10-year pathway to settlement — double the current wait.
Mahmood warned that the UK could become “more divided” if illegal migration is not addressed. “I can see — and I know my colleagues can — that illegal migration is tearing our country apart. It’s our job as a Labour government to unite our country,” she told the Sunday Times.
The issue has become increasingly contentious, with migrant boat crossings sparking political and social tensions. Far-right groups have organized protests across the country, particularly outside hotels housing asylum seekers.
Labour, traditionally a centre-left party, faces pressure from both sides of the political spectrum. While the left advocates more compassionate asylum policies, the right demands tougher restrictions.
Mahmood, the daughter of immigrants from Pakistani-administered Kashmir, may encounter resistance from progressive MPs within her own party.
Meanwhile, the rise of Reform UK under Nigel Farage has helped shape the national debate, amplifying frustration over illegal migration and refugee accommodation costs.
The previous Conservative government attempted to deter arrivals with a controversial policy allowing asylum seekers to be deported to Rwanda for claim processing. Mahmood said £700 million ($920 million) was spent on the scheme, which resulted in just four deportations — all of them volunteers.
