Britain to tighten asylum rules and speed up deportations

Asylum seekers who break the law, work illegally or can support themselves will lose their state-provided accommodation and financial support in the UK. The measures were announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

The moves come as Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government faces growing pressure in the polls from Nigel Farage’s anti-immigration Reform UK party and criticism from the left wing of the Labour Party.

The new measures are partly inspired by Denmark’s approach and form part of a broader reform of the asylum system. This includes the gradual closure of hotels for asylum seekers, faster deportations and the introduction of a single appeals process.

The government also plans to launch a pilot programme offering unsuccessful asylum seekers a financial contribution of £10,000 per person, up to a maximum of £40,000 per family, if they voluntarily leave the country. Otherwise, they face forced deportation.

The UK will also abolish the legal obligation to automatically provide support to refugees and shorten residence permits for recognised refugees to two and a half years.

(reuters, est)