Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced plans to end the automatic right of successful asylum seekers to bring family members to the UK, describing the current system as a “golden ticket”. The move is part of a broader effort to reduce “pull factors” driving illegal migration across the English Channel.
Under the proposed changes, people granted asylum will no longer automatically receive indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or the right to sponsor spouses and children for family reunion. Instead, settlement will be “earned” by demonstrating contributions to society, such as through work or community involvement. A government source said the policy aims to counter “asylum shopping” across Europe, where migrants seek the most generous offers.
The announcement follows a suspension of the family reunion route in September 2024, which had granted 20,817 visas in the year to June 2025, with women and children making up 90% of recipients. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also outlined new ILR requirements on Monday, including higher English standards and proof of societal contribution, with similar conditions now being considered for asylum seekers.
Charities have strongly criticised the plans. Jon Featonby of the Refugee Council said the previous government’s similar approach “didn’t work” and warned that restricting family reunion would push more people into the hands of smugglers. Kolbassia Haoussou of Freedom from Torture called the measures “straight from the populist playbook”, arguing they keep refugees feeling insecure and excluded.
Starmer is expected to discuss the proposals with European leaders at the European Political Community summit on Thursday, as he faces pressure from within his own party to counter the electoral threat of Reform UK, which recently announced plans to strip ILR from hundreds of thousands of non-EU citizens.
