On Saturday (November 15), the UK announced the launch of the largest asylum policy reform in modern history, drawing inspiration from Denmark’s practices. Denmark’s asylum system is known for its strictness in Europe and has faced criticism from multiple human rights groups.
The UK Labour government has been tightening its immigration policies since taking office, especially targeting cases of individuals entering the UK from France by boat. On the other hand, the opposition party, Reform UK, has put forward an immigration agenda with rapidly increasing support, forcing the Labour Party to take a tougher stance.
The UK Home Office stated that this reform will abolish statutory support provided by the government to specific asylum seekers, including accommodations and weekly allowances. These measures will apply to asylum applicants who are capable of working but refuse to do so and those who have applied illegally. The government will prioritize support for those who contribute to the economy and the community.
The Home Office pointed out that these measures aim to reduce the attractiveness of the UK to illegal immigrants and simplify the deportation process. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will provide further details on Monday (November 17).
Mahmood stated, “The UK has a proud tradition of welcoming refugees, but our generosity is attracting illegal immigrants to cross the channel, putting tremendous pressure on our communities.”
Polls show that immigration has surpassed the economy as the most concerning issue for UK voters. As of March 2025, approximately 109,343 people applied for asylum in the UK within a year, a 17% increase compared to the same period last year and a 6% increase from the peak in 2002 with 103,081 applicants.
Anti-immigrant sentiments in the UK are on the rise, as evidenced by protests outside government-funded asylum hotels this summer.
These anti-immigrant sentiments have also spread to the European Union. Since over a million refugees arrived in Europe through the Mediterranean from 2015 to 2016, some member states have faced infrastructure constraints. Due to the EU’s inability to reach a consensus on sharing the responsibility of hosting refugees, many member states have focused on deportations and reducing the influx of new arrivals.
The UK Home Office stated that the asylum reform will draw on the practices of Denmark and other European countries, defining refugee status as temporary and conditional on meeting certain criteria, including integration into society. The statement noted, “The UK will meet these standards and even exceed those of other countries in some areas.”
Senior officials from the department have visited Denmark this year for study purposes. Denmark is renowned for its strict immigration policies, with asylum applications dropping to the lowest level in 40 years and 95% of rejected applicants being deported.
In Denmark, immigrants are only granted temporary residency permits, typically lasting two years. After the permit expires, a renewal must be sought. If the Danish government deems the refugee’s home country safe, the refugee may be deported back there. In addition, the time to acquire citizenship is extended, conditions are made more stringent, and family reunification policies are stricter.
According to Danish legislation enacted in 2016, authorities can confiscate valuables from asylum applicants to offset the costs of providing support.
Currently, the UK can grant asylum to individuals who can prove that their home country is unsafe and offer a five-year refugee status to those at risk of persecution, with the option to apply for permanent residency upon expiration.
However, the government’s reform efforts have raised concerns from over 100 UK charitable organizations, who have written a letter urging Mahmood to halt the reform, arguing that it may fuel racism and violence.
(Reference: Report from Reuters)