An overwhelming majority of Daily Mail readers have thrown their support behind the Government's controversial new asylum reforms, according to a major new poll, exposing a clear divide between public opinion and criticism from within the Labour Party.
Overwhelming Public Backing for Stricter Asylum Measures
The survey, which gathered more than 18,000 responses, posed a direct question on the reforms proposed by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. A resounding 88 per cent answered 'yes' to supporting the measures, with just 12 per cent opposed.
This strong public endorsement comes as the Home Secretary faces a backlash from her own party's backbenchers, who have condemned the plans for echoing the rhetoric of the rival Reform UK party.
Key Elements of the Asylum Reform Package
The proposed reforms represent a significant tightening of the UK's asylum system. The central aim is to deter migrants from seeking asylum in Britain and to streamline the removal of individuals with no legal right to remain.
The key changes announced by Ms Mahmood include:
- Replacing the initial five-year grant of stay with a 30-month 'core protection' system, renewable only if it is unsafe to return.
- Extending the time required to apply for settled status from five years to 20 years.
- Removing the automatic right to family reunion for those under the core protection system.
- Ending the guarantee of housing and weekly allowances, requiring asylum seekers who can work or who possess valuable assets to contribute to their costs.
Ms Mahmood defended the tough new stance, stating it was an 'uncomfortable truth' that the UK's comparatively generous asylum offer was drawing people to its shores. She acknowledged that for British taxpayers, the current system 'feels out of control and unfair'.
Further Controversial Proposals and Financial Incentives
In a separate poll question that drew over 32,000 responses, the Mail asked readers about adopting a policy similar to Denmark's so-called 'jewellery law'. This would allow officials to confiscate valuables from refugees upon arrival in Britain. A striking 90 per cent of respondents supported the idea.
Meanwhile, the government is also proposing to trial 'increased incentive payments' to encourage failed asylum seekers to depart voluntarily. The existing scheme offers up to £3,000 to go home, and while the new amount remains undisclosed, the Home Office believes the long-term savings could justify the increased upfront cost to the taxpayer.
Despite the sweeping nature of the reforms, the proposals have been met with criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. While Labour backbenchers have voiced public condemnation, the Tories and Reform UK argue the measures do not go far enough, insisting that leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is a necessary step.
