(London) British Home Secretary Mahmoud defended the Labour government's proposed drastic cuts to refugee protections and the termination of automatic welfare benefits for asylum seekers on Sunday, saying illegal immigration is "tearing our country apart." The plan has drawn criticism from the far-right Reform Party and the center-left Conservative Party, with Labour left-wing MPs publicly condemning the move as "wrong."
Mahmoud is expected to present the new asylum policy to Parliament on Monday afternoon (November 17th) in London. In an interview with the BBC on Sunday (November 16th), she said that as a descendant of immigrants herself, reforming the asylum policy is a moral imperative. She said, "I know that illegal immigration is creating a huge division in our country, and I really believe that if we are to maintain public support for the asylum system, we must take action."
Currently, British refugee status is valid for five years, after which they can apply for indefinite stay and eventually citizenship. Under the reform plan, Britain will reduce the validity of refugee status to 30 months and conduct regular reviews, with asylum seekers having to wait up to 20 years to apply for permanent residency. Furthermore, refugees will be repatriated once their home countries are deemed safe.
Mahmoud told the BBC that refugees who apply for asylum through safe and legal channels, find employment, and contribute to society may be able to apply for permanent residency earlier.
The UK Home Office said the government will also pass new legislation to make it more difficult for illegal immigrants and foreign criminals to invoke the European Convention on Human Rights to prevent their deportation. The Home Office also warned that if the governments of Angola, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo do not cooperate with the UK in repatriating their nationals, the UK will ban visas for citizens of these three countries.
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Official statistics show that the UK government received approximately 111,000 asylum applications in the year ending June 2025, the highest number ever.
The UK will also abolish its legal obligation to provide assistance to asylum seekers. This means they will no longer automatically receive housing allowances and weekly stipends.
French Foreign Minister Barros welcomed the UK's plan. So far this year, more than 39,000 people have crossed the English Channel by small boat to reach the UK, more than the total number for the entire previous year.
However, the UK Refugee Council warned that the plan will not stop the influx of refugees. "The government should ensure that refugees who work hard and contribute to the UK can establish safe and stable lives and give back to their communities."
Labour MP Abbott posted on social media that this is an "anti-asylum policy," too harsh, impractical, and potentially illegal, only boosting voter support for the Reform Party.
Another Labour MP, Vaughn, also called the government's approach "wrong," arguing that the new asylum policy will fuel racism. He said: "The idea that recognized refugees should be deported is a mistake. We absolutely need to manage immigration, and for those who receive asylum under these measures, we should welcome them and help them integrate, not leave them facing continued uncertainty and exclusion."
Both the Reform Party and the Conservatives expect the Labour government will be unable to implement the reforms. Conservative Shadow Home Secretary Michael Phelps said: "The government is putting on a tough act, but as long as Britain remains within the framework of the European Convention on Human Rights, they will be blocked by left-wing lawyers and judges—and likely their own Attorney General."
