Great Britain British government wants to drastically tighten asylum rules
Britain's social democratic government wants to drastically tighten the country's asylum laws.
16.11.2025, 05:06
SDA
In a newspaper interview, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced a speech in the House of Commons on Monday in which she would present reform plans for the "most comprehensive changes to the asylum system for decades". In doing so, she is taking a stand against MPs from the left-wing of the Labor Party, who fear that her party, which is under great pressure domestically, is shifting to the right.
Mahmood wants to abolish the state obligation to support asylum seekers, which was introduced under EU law in 2005 - 15 years before Brexit. According to the planned reform, anyone who is in principle able to work and support themselves in the UK but does not do so would forfeit their legally guaranteed entitlement to accommodation and financial support. The same would apply to asylum seekers who break the law.
Tougher rules for new arrivals
The stricter rules would not apply to people already living in the UK, but only to new arrivals. Anyone who enters the country illegally from now on will only be granted permanent residency after 20 years at the earliest - and only if certain criteria are met, for example if they have no criminal record. Previously, this was only possible after five years.
The aim is to make the UK less attractive for migrants crossing the English Channel illegally by boat or truck, following Denmark's example, and to make deportations easier, Mahmood told the Sunday Times. "We want to send a message to these people: Don't come into the country as illegal migrants, don't get on a boat."
Right-wing populists are driving the government forward
In the UK, right-wing populist Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage's anti-immigration Reform UK party is currently leading all polls. Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer has responded by partly adopting the rhetoric of the right and announcing that he will "end the open borders experiment" and close the "undignified chapter" of illegal immigration. So far, however, this has not put his party ahead in the polls. The next general election is due in 2029.
