Shabana Mahmood has ripped up the government\u2019s asylum rules so that from Monday every refugee will be told that their status is temporary and will last just 30 months.<\/p>\n
In a move that has concerned a refugee charity, the home secretary said that claimants whose countries are deemed to be safe by the UK government will from now on be expected to return.<\/p>\n
The announcement comes despite pleas from some Labour MPs, peers and affiliated unions this weekend for Keir Starmer\u2019s government to shift towards progressive policies after the party came third in Thursday\u2019s Gorton and Denton byelection<\/a>.<\/p>\n The changes include plans to double to 10 years the amount of time some foreign nationals must wait before they can settle in the UK.<\/p>\n In an interview with the Guardian<\/a>, Mahmood called for Labour MPs to get behind immigration reforms or risk a Nigel Farage-led government deporting refugees \u201cto certain death\u201d.<\/p>\n She has insisted that far from being unpopular with traditional Labour<\/a> voters, her policies recognise the concerns of people who feel resentment because \u201cpublic services are under pressure\u201d.<\/p>\n Under Monday\u2019s changes, adults and accompanied children claiming asylum will receive a 30-month period of protection if it is granted.<\/p>\n At a 30-month review refugees with a continuing need of sanctuary will have their protection renewed, while those whose countries are now deemed safe will be expected to return home.<\/p>\n The new rules will not apply retrospectively to anyone who has applied before Monday.<\/p>\n Under the previous system refugees were granted five years of protection and allowed to bring their families, followed by possible permanent settlement.<\/p>\n Just over 100,000 people claimed asylum in 2025, 4% less than the previous year. Half of asylum seekers arrived through unauthorised entry routes, such as small boats.<\/p>\n The change follows Mahmood\u2019s visit last week to Denmark, which introduced a similar approach in recent years.<\/p>\n The Danish government has reduced asylum claims by more than 90% in a decade, but has been accused of breaching the human rights of refugees.<\/p>\n The left-leaning Social Democrats, which have been in power in Copenhagen since 2019, have seen off an insurgent populist party after adopting a hardline stance.<\/p>\n Mahmood said: \u201cWe must ensure our asylum system is not creating pull factors that draw people on dangerous journeys across the world.<\/p>\n \u201cGenuine refugees will find safety in Britain, but we must also reduce the incentives that draw people here at such scale, including those without a legitimate need for protection. So, once a refugee\u2019s home is safe and they are able to return, they will be expected to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n