Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced the most significant overhaul of the UK's asylum system in four decades, sparking a fierce backlash from within her own party. The proposals include forcing refugees to return to their home countries if deemed safe, extending the wait for permanent settlement for illegal arrivals from five to 20 years, and consulting on removing financial support for families with children under 18 who have been refused asylum.
Addressing the Commons, Mahmood described the asylum system as 'out of control and unfair' to the public, warning that failure to bring it under control would lead to more hatred. She blamed the previous Conservative government for leaving a 'dreadful inheritance'. The plans have caused enough disquiet among Labour MPs to fuel fears of a major rebellion.
Green MP Carla Denyer accused Mahmood of 'attempting to out-Reform' and argued that such moves only boost baseless far-right narratives, deepening divisions. In contrast, Reform UK MP Danny Kruger said he 'welcomes' and 'recognises' the rhetoric, suggesting that Labour now sounds like his party.
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn criticised the 'draconian measures', noting that 6,000 of this year's Channel crossers are from Afghanistan, a country the UK helped destabilise. He accused Mahmood of appeasing 'the most ghastly, right-wing racist forces'. Mahmood defended her plan, citing bespoke resettlement schemes for Afghans and the need for safe legal routes.
The changes may also affect relations with Ireland. Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan said he would monitor the UK proposals closely, concerned that stricter UK rules could increase irregular migration to Ireland, where over 80% of irregular arrivals come from Great Britain.
