Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has issued a stark warning about the potential human impact of the Labour government's proposed asylum system overhaul, stating it could leave thousands of people in a state of 'limbo' and severely hinder their integration into British society.
Support for Reform, Concern over 'Limbo'
While acknowledging that Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood was right to 'grasp the nettle' and pursue root-and-branch reform, Burnham expressed significant reservations about specific measures announced to Parliament this week. The core of his concern lies in the plan to extend the waiting period for asylum seekers to apply for permanent settlement from five years to 20 years.
Furthermore, under the new proposals, those who are granted refugee status will have their situation reviewed every two-and-a-half years, creating a perpetual state of uncertainty. This mechanism means individuals could be removed from the UK if their country of origin is later deemed safe.
Practical and Humanitarian Consequences
In an interview with the BBC, Burnham elaborated on his fears. 'I agree that Shabana Mahmood is right to grasp this nettle,' he stated, 'but I do have a concern about leaving people without the ability to settle.'
He highlighted two major potential consequences:
- Integration Barriers: A constant sense of temporary status makes it difficult for individuals and families to put down roots, learn the language, and fully participate in their communities.
- Administrative Strain: The need for the Home Office to constantly reassess the safety of numerous countries could divert crucial resources away from tackling the existing asylum backlog.
Burnham concluded this element of the plan 'may also leave people in a sense of limbo unable to integrate.' He stopped short of outright opposition, instead calling for a 'considered debate' following the Home Secretary's announcements.
Home Secretary Defends Plans Amid Broader Criticism
The Home Secretary has been vigorously defending the shake-up in the face of concern from within her own party. Earlier in the week, Labour peer Lord Alf Dubs, who himself fled the Nazis as a child, condemned proposals to deport families, including children, whose asylum claims have been rejected. The 92-year-old described the approach as using children as a 'weapon' and a 'shabby thing'.
In response, Ms Mahmood expressed her deep respect for Lord Dubs but firmly disagreed. 'I would never use children as a weapon - that is not what is happening here,' she asserted. She clarified that the policy applies to 'failed asylum seekers' who have exhausted all legal avenues and have been found not to qualify for refugee status, not those who have been granted protection.
In a separate development, the Home Secretary indicated she is willing to consider a 'big increase' in voluntary departure payments for rejected asylum seekers. She argued that such a scheme often represents 'better value for money for the taxpayer' than enforced removals.
