Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is preparing to announce what officials are calling "the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times" in a statement to MPs next Monday.
Danish-Inspired Overhaul
The planned changes, modelled on Denmark's stringent asylum system, aim to deter migrants from coming to the UK and make it significantly easier to deport those who arrive illegally. Officials were dispatched to Denmark last month to study its border control and asylum policies firsthand.
Central to the reforms are anticipated alterations to human rights legislation. These changes would make it simpler to deport individuals who cross the Channel in small boats. According to reports, the plans will require judges to prioritise public safety over a migrant's right to a family life or the risk of facing "inhuman" treatment in their home country.
Removal Figures and Ongoing Challenges
Ahead of the formal announcement, the Home Office revealed it has removed or deported 48,560 people since the Labour government took power. This figure represents a 23% increase in removals compared to the 16 months preceding last year's election and includes refused asylum seekers and foreign criminals.
Mahmood stated: "Nearly 50,000 illegal migrants have been removed or deported since the election. We've ramped up enforcement, deported foreign criminals from our streets, and saved taxpayers millions. I pledge today to scale up the removal and deportations of illegal migrants and do whatever it takes to secure our borders."
Under the "one in, one out" returns deal with France, approximately 100 people who crossed the Channel have been sent back. However, the government confirmed a second man had managed to re-enter the UK by small boat after being returned to France, though officials insisted his immediate detection showed the system was working.
Despite these efforts, small boat crossings remain a persistent issue. 39,075 people have made the journey so far this year, a figure that is 19% higher than the same point in 2024 and 43% higher than in 2023.
The Danish Model and its Potential Impact
The policies under consideration include adopting Denmark's tighter rules on family reunions and restricting some refugees to temporary stays. While some research suggests deterrence policies have little effect on asylum seekers' choice of destination, a 2017 study indicated that Denmark's "negative nation branding" had proven effective in limiting asylum applications.
The government's forthcoming announcement signals a determined shift towards a more robust approach to immigration control, drawing direct inspiration from one of Europe's most hardline systems.
