The UK Home Office has presented a comprehensive reform of immigration rules, introducing the most stringent changes in the last 40 years. Key points include a tougher policy on refugees, restrictions on financial assistance, and the implementation of regular status reviews for migrants.
This is reported by Finway
Main Changes in Immigration Policy
According to Shabana Mahmood, who is responsible for the reform, the state support system for refugees is “exhausted, ineffective, and unfair” to British taxpayers. She emphasized that thousands of families who have been denied asylum continue to receive free housing and social benefits for years, while the state lacks the means to ensure their return to their home countries.
“The state does not have sufficient leverage to force them to go home.”
Under the new reform, families who have been definitively denied asylum may lose financial support, even if they have minor children, provided there are no objective reasons to remain in the country. Initially, they will be offered funds for voluntary return, but if they refuse, deportation procedures will begin. The state will also open consultations on strengthening control, including the withdrawal of social benefits.
Seizure of Assets and Status Review
A new measure will allow the seizure of valuable items from asylum seekers, such as jewelry, electric scooters, or cars, to cover the costs of their maintenance. However, wedding rings and items with obvious sentimental value will not be seized. This practice has been in place in Denmark since 2016 and, according to Home Secretary Alex Norris, may be implemented in the UK as well. This idea has sparked sharp criticism from human rights advocates and the opposition, who deem it “undignified for European democracy.”
Another important point is the regular review of the status of all refugees: every 30 months, the government will assess whether the country of origin remains “unsafe.” If not, the individual may be deported, even if they have lived in the UK for a long time and have family or children attending local schools.
At the same time, for those who agree to return home voluntarily, the amount of payments will be increased — currently, this sum is up to £3,000, but the government promises to raise it to “thousands of pounds,” with exact figures to be announced later.
The planned changes have already sparked heated discussions among the public, Labour Party members, and humanitarian organizations, which warn of the risk of dehumanizing the country’s migration policy.