The United Kingdom has announced a sweeping overhaul of its asylum system. Under the new plan, refugees will now wait 20 years before they can apply for permanent residency.
The Labour government said the changes are part of its effort to tighten immigration policies.
The move comes as Reform UK continues to gain support by focusing on migration and small-boat crossings from France.
According to the Home Office, refugee protection will now become temporary. Officials will review each case every two-and-a-half years. They will revoke refugee status once a person’s home country is considered safe.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the UK currently offers one of the most generous settlement policies in Europe.
She noted that the government intends to follow Denmark’s tougher model, where refugee protection is short-term and often revoked.
“After five years you are effectively settled in this country. We will change that,” Mahmood told Sky News.
She confirmed that further details will be announced today, including changes to Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The government wants to stay in the ECHR but adjust how Article 8 the right to family life is applied.
Officials argue that it is being used to block the removal of migrants who do not qualify to stay in the UK.
Support Cuts and New Restrictions
The Home Office said it will revoke the statutory duty to provide housing and weekly allowances for some asylum seekers.
This includes people who can work but refuse to do so, and those who break the law.
Taxpayer-funded support will be given first to migrants who contribute to the economy and local communities, the department said.
Rights groups have condemned the plan. More than 100 UK charities wrote to Mahmood urging her to end “performative policies” that they say fuel racism and violence. They warned that scapegoating migrants will push tensions higher.
Rising Immigration Concerns
Polls show immigration has overtaken the economy as the top issue for British voters.
Over the summer, protests erupted near hotels accommodating asylum seekers at public expense.
Data from March 2025 shows that 109,343 people applied for asylum in the UK in one year.
This is a 17% increase from the previous year, and the highest level since 2002.
Despite the tougher stance, Mahmood said the government will create more safe and legal routes for those fleeing danger.
She insisted the UK should play its role in providing protection for vulnerable people.
Denmark Model Serves as Blueprint
The Home Office praised Denmark’s strict approach. Denmark grants only temporary residence permits, usually valid for two years.
Refugees must reapply after each expiration.
Authorities also repatriate migrants once conditions in their home countries improve.
The UK wants to match or exceed these standards. Officials said Denmark’s system reduced asylum claims to a 40-year low and increased the removal of rejected applicants to 95%.
The Labour government believes similar measures will deter illegal entry, reduce asylum numbers, and calm public anger over migration.