Refugees Could Face 20-Year Wait for Permanent Settlement Under UK Asylum Reforms

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British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

Refugees granted asylum in the UK will be required to wait 20 years before becoming eligible for permanent settlement, under major reforms set to be announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood on Monday.

The overhaul of asylum policy comes as the government seeks to curb small boat crossings and reduce the number of asylum claims. Under the proposed changes, individuals granted asylum would receive only temporary permission to remain in the UK, with their status subject to regular review. Those whose home countries are later deemed safe would be expected to return.

At present, refugee status is granted for five years, after which individuals can apply for indefinite leave to remain. Mahmood’s new plan would reduce the initial period to two-and-a-half years, with repeated reviews thereafter, while extending the pathway to permanent residency from five years to 20.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Mahmood said the reforms were “designed to essentially say to people: do not come to this country as an illegal migrant, do not get on a boat”.

She warned that “illegal migration is tearing our country apart,” adding that it was the government’s responsibility to “unite our country”. “If we don’t sort this out, I think our country becomes much more divided,” she said.

The approach mirrors policies in Denmark, where a centre-left government has introduced some of Europe’s strictest asylum rules. In Denmark, refugees receive temporary residency—typically for two years—and must effectively reapply each time it expires.

Mahmood’s proposals are expected to face resistance from some Labour MPs.

Max Wilkinson, the Liberal Democrats’ home affairs spokesperson, said it was “right the government looks at new ways to fix the disorderly asylum system created by the Conservatives”. However, he cautioned that Labour “shouldn’t kid itself that these measures are an alternative to processing claims quickly so we can remove those with no right to be here”.

Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, described the plans as “harsh and unnecessary”, arguing that they “won’t deter people who have been persecuted, tortured or seen family members killed in brutal wars”.

Source: BBC



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