Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has faced backlash from Labour MPs after announcing a series of immigration changes, including a pilot scheme offering rejected asylum seekers up to £40,000 to leave the UK voluntarily. The pilot targets 150 families, who have seven days to decide. However, the Home Office has not disclosed how many have accepted the offer, sparking criticism over transparency.
Mahmood's proposals also include ending permanent refugee status, with reviews every 30 months, and removing support from asylum seekers who break the law or work illegally. In a speech, she said: "The generosity of the British people will become conditional on those seeking asylum following the law." She argued the changes are needed to counter the rise of hard-right parties like Reform UK.
Labour MP Tony Vaughan, who organised a letter signed by 100 colleagues, said the plans "undermine the government’s commitment to integration." Stella Creasy warned of a "Windrush-style scandal," while Sarah Owen accused the Home Secretary of mimicking Donald Trump's immigration policies. The government faces potential rebellion as some measures require parliamentary approval.
