The Home Secretary is facing fierce criticism from within her own party and refugee charities over proposed changes to the asylum system that one veteran Labour peer has condemned as using children as "a weapon".
Veteran Refugee Condemns 'Shabby' Proposals
Alf Dubs, who arrived in Britain as a six-year-old refugee fleeing Nazi persecution in 1939, delivered a powerful rebuke to Shabana Mahmood's plans for the biggest shake-up of asylum laws in 40 years. The Labour peer described the proposals as "a shabby thing" during an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Dubs expressed particular concern about measures that would allow the removal of financial support for families with children under 18 if their asylum claims have been refused. "There is a proper case for children, there is a proper case for family reunion when there are children who are on their own," he argued.
Government Defends Controversial Measures
Ministers maintain that the current system creates "perverse incentives" that encourage asylum seekers to undertake dangerous Channel crossings with children. A government policy document published on Monday stated: "Our hesitancy around returning families creates particularly perverse incentives. To some the personal benefit of placing a child on a dangerous small boat outweighs the considerable risks of doing so."
The document further argued that once in the UK, asylum seekers can "exploit the fact that they have had children and put down roots in order to thwart removal, even if their claim has been legally refused."
Broader Implications for Community Cohesion
Lord Dubs warned that the proposed changes would damage community integration and increase tensions. "What it will do is to increase tensions in local communities and will make this country less welcome than we have traditionally been to welcome people who come here fleeing for safety," he stated.
The peer expressed concern that if people are known to be in the country temporarily, local communities might be less willing to help them integrate. "Why should your kids go to local schools? And so on," he questioned, adding that refugees "want to make a contribution to our country, that's their overwhelming wish."
Communities Secretary Steve Reed defended the government's position, noting that 14 children had lost their lives in Channel crossing attempts over the past year. "Compassion isn't all on one side of this argument," he countered, questioning what kind of system creates incentives for parents to put children on perilous journeys.
Reed insisted ministers remained "absolutely committed" to the changes despite internal backlash, arguing that the current system of asylum hotels had damaged community cohesion and contributed to the rise of far-right political parties.
