Labour's Controversial Asylum Shakeup
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to announce the most significant overhaul of the UK's asylum system in decades, with proposals that would require asylum seekers to wait 20 years before obtaining permanent settlement - the longest such period in any European country.
The plans come as the Starmer government faces mounting pressure from the rise of Reform UK, driven largely by public anger over small boat crossings. With the budget just 10 days away, these twin announcements could prove decisive for the government's future.
Visa Sanctions and Asset Seizures
In a hardline move, the Home Office has threatened to stop granting visas to nationals of Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo unless their governments improve cooperation on removals. Officials claim thousands of illegal migrants and criminals from these nations remain in the UK despite efforts to remove them.
More controversially, Home Office minister Alex Norris confirmed that refugees could have jewellery and other valuables seized to cover processing costs, backing up earlier reports in The Sun newspaper.
Growing Backlash Within Labour Ranks
The proposals have already sparked significant opposition from within Labour's own ranks. Stella Creasy MP warned that the policy would require "ICE-style raids on Britain's streets" to remove people and their children if implemented.
Tony Vaughan, a KC specialising in immigration law who represents Folkestone and Hythe, posted on social media that "the government has taken the wrong turning" and that the rhetoric around these reforms encourages divisiveness and growing racism in communities.
Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell suggested Vaughan's concerns reflect wider unease within the Parliamentary Labour Party, noting he's "certainly not what the media would call a 'usual suspect'".
Meanwhile, Reform UK and Conservative critics dismiss the proposals as unlikely to be implemented, citing either Labour backbench opposition or legal challenges.
Mahmood defends her approach in a Guardian article, describing it as a "moral mission" necessary to prevent "dark forces" from overwhelming the country. She argues that a country without secure borders becomes less safe for people who look like her.
The home secretary will face MPs this afternoon when she gives a formal statement on the changes, with significant Labour rebellion expected as details emerge.
