THE United Kingdom announced on Saturday what it describes as the most extensive overhaul of its asylum system in modern history, modelling its approach on Denmark’s highly restrictive policies.
The move comes as the Labour government seeks to tighten immigration controls in response to growing public concern over illegal Channel crossings and the rising influence of the populist Reform UK party.
Reuters reported on Sunday that Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood outlined plans to revoke the statutory duty to provide state support, including housing and weekly allowances, for certain asylum seekers.
The measures will target those capable of work who choose not to seek employment, and those who break the law, prioritising taxpayer-funded support for individuals deemed to contribute to the economy and local communities.
Mahmood is expected to provide further details on Monday.
“This country has a proud tradition of welcoming those fleeing danger, but our generosity is drawing illegal migrants across the Channel. The pace and scale of migration is placing immense pressure on communities,” she said.
The reforms follow a study visit by senior Home Office officials to Copenhagen, where Denmark grants temporary residence permits, limits family reunification, and requires migrants to reapply for asylum after two years, with the possibility of repatriation if the home country is deemed safe.
The UK Home Office said its new framework will match and, in some areas, exceed these standards. Denmark’s approach has reduced asylum claims to a 40-year low and secured the removal of 95 per cent of rejected applicants, according to officials.
Rights groups have sharply criticised the planned changes. The Refugee Council highlighted that asylum seekers do not compare systems while fleeing danger, and that many come to the UK due to family ties or existing connections that facilitate safety and integration.
More than 100 British charities have written to Mahmood, warning that the government’s approach risks scapegoating migrants and fostering racism and violence.
Immigration has surged as a key political issue, overtaking the economy as the top voter concern in recent polls.
Between April 2024 and March 2025, 109,343 people claimed asylum in the UK, a 17 per cent increase on the previous year and higher than the previous 2002 peak.
Anti-immigration sentiment has intensified in the UK, with protests against state-funded accommodation for asylum seekers, echoing broader tensions across Europe since the arrival of more than a million refugees via the Mediterranean in 2015-16.
The government insists the reforms are aimed at making the UK less attractive to illegal migrants and easing removals, in line with other European nations that grant temporary status and expect integration.
Critics, however, argue that emulating Denmark could undermine protection, leave asylum seekers in prolonged uncertainty, and create a more hostile climate for vulnerable populations. - November 16, 2025
