Refugee status to become temporary under ‘sweeping changes’ to asylum system

Migrants try to board a crowded smuggler's boat in an attempt to cross the English Channel off the beach of Gravelines, northern France on September 19, 2025. As an agreement for the return to France of undocumented migrants and asylum seekers arriving in Britain in small boats is being haltingly implemented, an undiminished number of people are attempting the cross-Channel journey and taking advantage of stable weather. (Photo by Sameer Al-DOUMY / AFP) (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)
Migrants will only be granted asylum for as long as their home country is deemed unsafe, in new rules set to be unveiled by the Government next week (Picture: AFP)

Asylum seekers will only be granted temporary stay for as long as their countries remain dangerous in a new package of measures to be announced by the home secretary on Monday.

Shabana Mahmood will unveil ‘sweeping changes’ that will see refugee status become subject to regular review.

Under the new regime, migrants will also no longer be guaranteed housing or a weekly allowance.

The move is a step closer towards the Danish model, which has successfully slashed asylum claims to a 40-year low.

In order to enact the latest changes, Ms Mahmood is set to revoke the UK’s statutory legal duty to provide asylum-seeker support, which was originally introduced via EU law in 2005.

Sign up for all of the latest stories

Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.

Asylum seekers who have a right to work and can support themselves financially, but choose not to get a job, could also forego housing and benefits.

Such assistance may also be denied to migrants who break the law.

Ms Mahmood said that the changes would ‘restore order’ to Britain’s creaking asylum system.

She said: ‘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.

‘This week, I will set out the most sweeping changes to our asylum system in a generation. We will restore order and control to our borders.’

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 09, 2025: Secretary of State for the Home Department Shabana Mahmood walks through Downing Street after attending the annual National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London, United Kingdom on November 09, 2025. (Photo credit should read Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will set out ‘sweeping changes’ designed to ‘restore order’ to the asylum system (Picture: Wiktor Syzmanowicz)

Current rules grant asylum for a period of five years, after which claimants can apply for indefinite leave to remain.

Ms Mahmood is also expected to announced that judges will be instructed to prioritise public safety over migrants’ rights to a family or their risk of ‘inhumane’ treatment if returned home.

It comes as ministers have looked to learn lessons from Denmark, where 95 per cent of asylum applicants are turned away and those wishing to join spouses must pass a language test and demonstrate financial stability.

Labour has pointed to the 50,000 migrants deported since it took office as a sign the tide is turning.

However small boat Channel crossings continue to hinder progress, with some 39,075 migrants having made the journey so far this year.

A total of 119 people have been returned to France under the Government’s pilot scheme, in exchange for 92 migrants arriving in the UK via an approved route.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *