The UK will stop automatically providing accommodation and other support to asylum seekers, as part of a major overhaul to the migration system.
Currently, there is a legal duty under EU law to provide financial assistance to anyone who arrives in the country and claims asylum.
Under the package being announced by Home Secretary government will be able to deny that support to people under certain circumstances.
Refugee status is also set to be made temporary, with a review every 30 months. Those with the status will be told to go home once it is deemed safe to do so.
And the UK will adopt the longest pathway to citizenship in Europe for those granted asylum, making them wait for 20 years if they arrived illegally.
The Home Office described the move as ‘the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times’, saying they would remove incentives that draw people to get in small boats.
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But the changes have been described as ‘harsh and unnecessary’ by the Refugee Council, which said it would lead to more vulnerable people sleeping rough on British streets.
Mahmood has based her new approach on the system introduced by the Danish government.
The Scandinavians attracted wide attention for driving asylum claims to their lowest point in 40 years, while deporting 95% of those who do not meet stringent criteria.
Reform have proposed, to carry out their plan.
The Home Secretary 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.’
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Mahmood said illegal migration ‘is tearing our country apart’.
She added: ‘It’s our job as a Labour government to unite our country and if we don’t sort this out, I think our country becomes much more divided.’
But Refugee Council CEO Enver Solomon warned making the current system ‘more punitive’ will not be a deterrent to desperate people.
He said: ‘Men, women and children seek safety in the UK because they have family here, they speak some English, or they have long-standing ties that help them rebuild their lives in safety.
‘The government should be ensuring that refugees are able to settle into their new communities so they can contribute as proud Britons, in the way so many have done for generations.’
How will the UK's approach to asylum seekers change?
The latest changes are described as the biggest overhaul to the asylum system since the Second World War. Here are the main points.
- Reduced support: Government support such as housing and weekly allowances will become discretionary rather than automatic, and may be denied to those who can work, have assets or break the law
- Changes to benefits: Following a review next year, refugees may need to ‘contribute and integrate into UK society’ if they are to continue receiving benefits
- Longer qualifying period: Refugees can currently apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years – this will be extended to 20 years for those who arrive illegally
- Temporary refugee status: Like Denmark, refugee status will become subject to a periodic review and people will be told to return home once it becomes safe for them to do so
- ECHR reforms: The Home Secretary will announce changes to the way the UK applies two articles of the ECHR – article 8, the right to a family life, and article 3, which covers torture and degrading treatment
- New legal routes: Capped routes for work and study will be created to reduce the demand for places on small boats and offer sanctuary for those genuinely fleeing war and persecution
Meanwhile, the Conservatives claimed the new announcement does not go far enough.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: ‘Whilst some of these new measures are welcome, they stop well short of what is really required and some are just yet more gimmicks – like the previous “smash the gangs” gimmick.
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‘The truth is this Labour government is incapable of getting any real change past their left-wing backbenchers, especially after the weak example they set with the debacle of their botched welfare reforms.’
On Thursday, Metro revealed the number of people returned to reached triple figures.
Migration Minister Mike Tapp said the 113 people deported so far represent the early stages of a pilot scheme that will grow as legal issues are ‘ironed out’.
The Home Office said this week almost 50,000 illegal migrants had been deported since last year’s election, a 23% increase on the previous 16-month period.
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