New rules for asylum seekers were announced by the Home Secretary this week as part of a government bid to crack down on illegal immigration.
Shabana Mahmood also revealed that there would be new “safe and legal” routes opening for migrants to come to Britain.
But she faces a growing backlash from Labour MPs over her plans, with some arguing that proposed changes are “cruel”.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood delivers a speech to the Institute for Public Policy Research
PA Wire
What are the new legal routes to the UK for migrants?
There will be “series” of new legal routes for migrants to come to Britain, Ms Mahmood has said.
A new student refugee route will open in the Autumn. The the first arrivals under the scheme are expected to come to the UK in 2027.
Details of who will be eligible have not yet been revealed.
Ms Mahmood also confirmed her plans will include “a new work route” to Britain for migrants and the “expansion of community sponsorship” based on the Ukraine scheme model.
It is understood that the Ukraine scheme, which allows Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family to live, work and study in the UK for a set period of time, will be extended for a further 24 months.
The extension will go live in August and will enable Ukrainians who wish to remain in Britain under the scheme to stay.
A scheme for Ukrainian nationals to come to Britain is set to be extended
PA Wire
The Home Office is also making a change to rules for people who came to the UK from Hong Kong, expanding the British National and Overseas visa to include adult children of the visa holder who were under the age of 18 on July 1, 1997, and their children.
It is estimated that 26,000 people could arrive in the UK under that process over the next five years.
Ms Mahmood said the government’s approach was designed to shift the asylum system away from dangerous small boat crossings and high levels of applications from those without legitimate asylum claims.
During a speech at the Institute for Public Policy Research, she said: “At the same time as showing that immense generosity of spirit, we must wrest control over migration back from the smugglers and restore order and control at our border.
“That means bearing down on illegal routes to this country, tackling illegal crossings and, as a result, reducing the burden of so many living in asylum accommodation.
“Since launching the Border Security Command, we have made over 5,000 law enforcement disruptions of smuggling gangs and stopped more than 40,000 attempted crossings.
“But clearly, it is not enough. Crossings continue – up last year on the year before. And while asylum claims have fallen across Europe, they have been rising here in Britain.”
People thought to be migrants in Gravelines, France, onboard a small boat
PA Wire
Changes to refugee status
Under the proposals, asylum seekers living in the UK will have their refugee status reviewed every 30 months and if their home country is deemed safe, they will have to return.
Some backbench Labour MPs have criticised the move and accused the Home Secretary of trying to chase Reform UK votes with anti-immigrant policies.
Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy said: “The performative cruelty of repeatedly demanding that refugees prove they are still refugees – or else face deportation – cannot be understated.”
The Government hopes changes to refugee status, as well as a clampdown on illegal working and new visa restrictions for some countries, will help lower the record numbers of people crossing the Channel in small boats.
