- By Shivangi Sharma
- Sun, 16 Nov 2025 03:39 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In one of the toughest overhauls of the UK’s asylum system in decades, the Labour government is preparing to enforce a 20-year wait for refugees before they can apply for permanent settlement. The full policy will be unveiled on Monday and is aimed at deterring illegal migration, particularly small-boat crossings from France.
The reforms draw partial inspiration from Denmark’s model, where refugee protections are temporary and reviewed periodically. According to officials, the UK’s new system will limit social protections, tighten eligibility rules, and make Britain less attractive to those attempting to enter illegally.
The Labour Party, under pressure from rising support for Nigel Farage's Reform UK, which advocates “frozen immigration” and aggressive action to “stop the boats”, has intensified its stance. Nearly 40,000 people have crossed the English Channel this year, and over 400,000 asylum claims have been filed since 2021.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has framed the upcoming changes as “the most sweeping reforms to our asylum system in modern times.” In her message, she stressed the need to protect Britain’s borders while ensuring fairness.
“This country has a proud tradition of welcoming those fleeing danger, but our generosity is drawing illegal migrants across the Channel,” she said, warning that the scale of migration is placing “immense pressure on communities.”
Key Measures In New Asylum Policy
Under the proposed reforms:
Refugees must wait 20 years before applying for permanent settlement, a sharp rise from the current five-year timeline.
Refugee status will be temporary, granted for 2.5 years at a time, and subject to frequent renewal instead of automatic progression.
Individuals may be returned to their home country once it is deemed safe. The Home Office plans to end mandatory housing and financial support for certain asylum seekers, particularly those who are capable of working but refuse to do so or those who commit crimes.
Resources will be prioritised for migrants who “contribute to the economy and local communities.” The government has removed or deported around 50,000 individuals since coming to power, signalling a firmer direction than initially expected from Labour.
Warning To Potential Migrants
Mahmood emphasised that the policy is designed as a clear deterrent. The message, she said, is “essentially to say to people: do not come to this country as an illegal migrant, do not get on a boat.” She added that illegal migration is “tearing our country apart,” and the government must act to “unite our country.”