London: The British government unveiled sweeping reforms to the asylum system on Monday, declaring refugee status will no longer be permanent and pledging accelerated deportations for those entering illegally, in a direct bid to neutralise the electoral threat from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told Parliament that protection will be granted on a temporary basis, subject to regular review, ending the current practice of indefinite leave to remain after five years. Individuals arriving via unauthorised routes, such as small boats across the Channel, will face swift removal once their claims are refused, with significantly reduced appeal rights.
Crucially, the government will legislate to reinterpret obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights in domestic law, insisting Article 8 (right to family life) and other provisions should not block removals where public interest demands otherwise. Officials claim this stops “abuse” by foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers who exploit human-rights arguments to remain.
The package also includes tougher enforcement powers, expanded detention capacity, and new bilateral return agreements. Labour sources described the measures as the toughest since the failed Rwanda scheme, designed to slash net migration and reassure working-class voters tempted by Reform UK, which secured 14% in last year’s election. Critics immediately accused the government of undermining international commitments.