How government's new policies impact people seeking asylum

RAPAR Trustee, journalist Kath Grant, reports on the latest diabolical attacks from Government towards people seeking asylum https://www.yourplat4orm.com/Gary/labours-new-hardline-immigration 

Shabana Mahmood at this years Labour conference. Picture: worldwidefeatures.com

Protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers have occurred across the country. Picture worldwidefeatures.com

​By Kath Grant
​
Nearly 20 years after Labour Home Secretary John Reid declared the UK asylum system “not fit for purpose”, Shabana Mahmood insists nothing has changed and that a wide-ranging transformation is needed.
This summer, far right groups created anger, fear and confusion in their attempts to pit local residents against refugees who live in asylum accommodation hotels. Deliberate targeting of refugees became increasingly febrile as they were scapegoated for shortages of social housing, pressure on school places, and the near collapse of the health service.



​The government's remedy led to the publication this week of Mahmood's new asylum and returns policy, Restoring Order and Control - which proposes the most radical changes to the asylum system in 40 years and removes the right to permanent status for refugees.
Greeted with enthusiasm by the Tories and Reform, with the predictable caveat that it “doesn't go far enough”, it has also impressed far right leaders like Tommy Robinson. He told his followers on X that the Overton window had been obliterated thanks to the work of the “patriots” who spent the summer demonstrating outside hotels and sharing alarmist propaganda and false stories on social media.
Many MPs are dismayed that Mahmood and her ministers have chosen to use language like “a golden ticket” to describe the asylum system and have seemingly suggested that refugees might have jewellery taken from them to pay for asylum accommodation. 
In parliament, the Home Secretary talked vaguely about confiscating assets - but it is questionable how much of this headline grabbing idea is grounded in reality as most refugees spend all their money travelling to the UK in the first place.
Mahmood is dismissive of MPs who have pointed out the cruelty and crudity of her policy. She said illegal migration is dividing communities and claims that people are flouting the rules and abusing the system. 

The far right have fed on concerns in communities, particularly with regard to housing and education, but the Home Secretary's plans will not allay these fears. Alf Dubs, the long-time campaigner for refugee children's rights, argues that they are more likely to exacerbate them as temporary asylum status will not lead to better understanding and integration. 
Mahmood is adamant that removing children is essential if their families’ asylum claims have been refused. When asked by John McDonnell MP for an assurance that no child would be placed in detention, Mahmood did not respond.
The Home Secretary says: “We have a genuine problem to fix. People are angry about something that is real.” And,in a clear reference to the policies of the Conservative Party, Reform and the far right, she adds: "If these moderate forces fail, something darker will follow.” 
She talks about “perverse incentives” in the current system which, she claims, are encouraging families with children to cross the Channel in small boats. Refugees have been living on benefits, she says, but she doesn't mention that most people seeking asylum in the UK are not allowed to work, and the processing of asylum claims is notoriously slow and inaccurate so it can take many years.
Mahmood adds: “In 2024, asylum claims in the UK rose by 18 per cent, a record high. Across Europe, claims fell by 13 per cent.” 
As asylum and immigration lawyer Sonia Lenegan points out, the Home Secretary fails to mention that Germany (218,550) receives twice as many asylum applications as the UK (109,343). The UK is actually in fifth place in Europe, behind Germany, Spain (164,830), France (159,260) and Italy (151,525).
The new policy outlines various “pull factors” for people coming to the UK. No evidence is cited to support these “pull factors” but Mahmood's solution is to quadruple the period of settlement before refugees can apply for citizenship. It will increase from five to 20 years, whereas settlement in Denmark - which Mahmood cites as the model for her policy - can be achieved after eight years.
Refugees’ asylum status is to be reviewed every two and a half years. If their home country is deemed safe, they will be returned.
The two and a half year review as described by the Home Secretary effectively means refugees will have to keep applying for status and the Home Office will only grant the extension if they accept there is still a need for protection. If it is decided there is no longer a need, the person will be removed.  
Sonia Lenegan says: “People will spend 20 years of their lives living in terror of being sent back to a country where the UK has accepted they have previously been at risk of persecution.”
There will be “no automatic right to family reunion”. It will still exist but there will be stricter requirements. Benefits for migrants will also be tightened up with a consultation on the details coming up next year.
The refugees arriving through new “safe and legal” routes may also need to renew their leave to remain applications every two and a half years and live under the threat of removal during a 10 year period.
Lenegan adds: “These proposals are cruel, unnecessary and will have no impact on the desperate people who continue to make the dangerous journey across the Channel.”
The migrant-led national organisation Migrant Voice says genuine safe asylum routes must be provided and adds:
“For those who have fallen out of status we need more effective routes to regularisation, not adding to the number of people waiting 20 years before they get a chance of having some stability in their lives.
“For migrants in general, we need policies which treat us with respect and dignity, not ones which treat us as free labour, such as the ‘mandatory volunteering’, to prove our worth.
“This government had the opportunity to implement policies which actually help people and the communities we live in. Instead, it has decided to push ever downwards in making our lives harder, ripping our families apart, and leaving us scared for our very futures.”


To read more detail on the changes please visit Freemovement and migrantvoice
For existing and government proposed legislation see here


Kath Grant is an NUJ activist and a journalist of over 40 years' experience who contributes to the regional and national media.