UK ends automatic asylum benefits in tough new migration overhaul

Britain’s Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has defended new plans to reduce support for refugees and end automatic benefits for asylum seekers.

She said illegal migration is “tearing our country apart” and must be urgently addressed.

The new proposals are inspired by Denmark’s very strict asylum system and aim to stop thousands of migrants from crossing the English Channel in small boats from France, a trend that has increased support for the anti-immigrant Reform UK party.

The plans have faced criticism from refugee groups and some Labour Party members who say the measures are too harsh.

But Mahmood rejected claims that the government is adopting far-right ideas. She said her focus is on protecting communities and restoring public trust. Under the proposed changes, refugees will no longer receive five years of protection. Instead, they will be granted 30 months, which will be reviewed regularly.

Refugees could also be returned to their home countries once those places are considered safe.

In addition, those who receive asylum must now wait 20 years before applying for long-term residency, instead of five years as it is today.

Another major change is the removal of the government’s legal duty to provide housing and financial support for asylum seekers. Support will no longer be guaranteed and will be given only at the government’s discretion.

Assistance may be denied to asylum seekers who are capable of working but refuse to do so, or to those who commit crimes.

The Home Office has described the plan as the biggest reform of the asylum system in modern UK history.

The government believes the changes will make the UK less attractive to irregular migrants and will make it easier to remove people who have no right to stay.

Asylum claims in Britain are currently at record levels, with about 111,000 applications submitted in the year leading up to June 2025. More than 39,000 migrants have already crossed the Channel in small boats this year.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under political pressure to reduce the number of crossings, especially as Reform UK continues to lead Labour in several opinion polls. Refugee groups, however, argue that tougher rules will not stop dangerous journeys.

Enver Solomon of the Refugee Council urged the government to rethink its approach, saying refugees who work hard and contribute to the country should be allowed to settle and build stable lives.

The Labour government recently studied Denmark’s asylum model, which is known for being one of the strictest in Europe.

In Denmark, refugees are given one-year permits that must be renewed, and they are encouraged to return home as soon as conditions improve.

Family reunification rules there are also very strict, involving age limits, language tests, and financial requirements. Some Labour lawmakers fear the UK is moving too far to the right and could lose support from progressive voters.