By Kate Whannel, Political reporter
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood defended wide-ranging changes to the UK’s asylum system in the House of Commons, saying the current situation is “out of control and unfair”. She warned that failing to act would “draw more people down a path that starts with anger and ends in hatred.”
The proposals would make refugee status temporary, end guaranteed housing support for asylum seekers, and create new capped “safe and legal routes” into the UK. Mahmood presented a 30-page Home Office document outlining the plans and told MPs she saw the changes as a moral mission to restore public support for having an asylum system at all.
Some Labour MPs reacted strongly. Nadia Whittome described the plans as “dystopian” and “shameful”, while Nottingham East MP warned they would rip up protections for people who’ve endured trauma. Immigration lawyer and Folkestone and Hythe MP Tony Vaughan said temporary refugee status would create “perpetual limbo and alienation”. Richard Burgon called the measures “morally wrong” and predicted they would repel Labour voters.
Around 20 Labour MPs have criticised the proposals, although others backed Mahmood. Chris Murray told BBC Radio 5 Live the system had to be fair “otherwise it’ll collapse”, and Graham Stringer said the home secretary was “going down the right track”, while noting the need to address the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described the measures as “positive baby steps” but warned Mahmood’s efforts would be “doomed to fail” unless the UK left the ECHR. She urged the home secretary to work with the Conservatives, suggesting their support might be useful if Labour backbenchers oppose the changes. Over the past year the government has already retreated on some policies after objections from its MPs.
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Max Wilkinson welcomed the new safe and legal routes but accused Mahmood of “stoking division by using immoderate language”. Mahmood hit back, saying she experiences racist abuse and is sometimes told to “go back home”, even using a racial slur she said is targeted at her.
So far this year 111,800 people have claimed asylum in the UK; 39% arrived in small boats and 37% arrived by legal means before claiming asylum, the government says. Its stated aim with the reforms is to reduce arrivals and increase removals of people without a legal right to remain.
Key proposals include:
– Refugee status would become temporary, with reviews every 30 months, half the current period.
– The qualifying period before applying for permanent residence would increase from five years to 20.
– Families with children refused asylum would be offered incentives to leave and could face forced removal if they refuse.
– Asylum seekers with income or assets would be required to contribute to the cost of their stay.
– The government plans to change how the ECHR and the Modern Slavery Act are applied to make removals easier.
– Mahmood threatened to stop granting visas to nationals of Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Namibia unless those governments improved cooperation on deportations.
– New capped safe and legal routes would be created, with greater involvement for voluntary and community organisations in receiving and supporting arrivals.
Home Office sources denied suggestions that sentimental items, such as wedding rings, would be seized to pay for accommodation. Mahmood argued contributions from those with resources would end “the absurdity” of people receiving family funds and free taxpayer-funded housing.
The proposals drew reactions across the political spectrum. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage praised Mahmood’s “strong language” and suggested she might be auditioning for his party, but he doubted whether the plans would survive opposition from Labour backbenchers or the European Court of Human Rights. Green Party leader in England and Wales Zack Polanski called the measures “extreme” and “inhumane”, urging Labour MPs to consider their consciences.
Charities also pushed back. Enver Solomon of the Refugee Council said tightening the system would not deter people fleeing for their lives, arguing many come to the UK because they speak English or have family and community ties—a legacy of historical links and colonial history.
Mahmood told MPs she believed most of her colleagues agreed with the need to change the system. She said that if the argument to reform failed, public support for an asylum system would be lost and the country would lose something “brilliant”.
