• UK government to implement significant asylum reforms ending long-term refugee protections.
• Asylum seekers will see status reduced from five years to 30 months with longer wait for citizenship.
• The proposed measures aim to combat irregular immigration influenced by Denmark's system.

The United Kingdom plans to drastically overhaul its asylum system, significantly reducing protections for refugees in response to rising irregular migration. This announcement coincides with increasing pressures from the far-right Reform UK party as Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces scrutiny over immigration policy. Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood stated, “I’ll end the UK’s golden ticket for asylum seekers,” highlighting the government's intention to limit asylum benefits and protections, described as the "largest overhaul of asylum policy in modern times" according to SCMP, Le Monde, and Al Jazeera.

Under the new proposals, the length of refugee status will be cut from five years to just 30 months, with regular reviews of an individual’s status to determine if they should return to their home country. Asylum seekers will now also face a 20-year wait before they can apply for permanent residency in the UK, dramatically increasing their time in limbo compared to the previous five-year waiting period for indefinite leave. This change aims to deter unauthorized crossings, particularly through the English Channel, where over 39,000 arrivals were recorded this year, according to BBC, CBS News, and Le Monde.

The UK government also intends to revoke the statutory duty to provide automatic support for asylum seekers, shifting to a discretionary basis that could deny aid to those who could work or support themselves. This move has sparked concerns from human rights organizations, including the Refugee Council, which caution that such policies will not deter desperate individuals from coming to the UK, as they continue to escape conflict and persecution. Enver Solomon, head of the Refugee Council, emphasized the need for policies that allow refugees to build stable lives and contribute to their communities, according to Le Monde and Al Jazeera.

As the Labour government prepares to detail these changes to Parliament, it remains uncertain how they will affect the public’s view on immigration, as polls indicate that immigration has become a top concern among voters. The government’s approach has drawn comparisons to Denmark's strict asylum policies, which have led to significantly reduced asylum applications. Nevertheless, experts warn that simply tightening regulations may fall short of addressing the complexities of global migration patterns, citing further need for humane and constructive responses, according to SCMP, CBS News, and BBC.