‘Automatic handouts’ for asylum seekers to end in benefits crackdown | Politics | News
A legal duty to provide asylum seekers with support, including housing and weekly allowances, is to be scrapped as part of radical measures to stop illegal immigrants coming to the UK. Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood will tomorrow announce what is being billed as “the biggest asylum policy overhaul in modern times”. Labor says this means “automatic benefits for asylum seekers will end”.
The sweeping changes build on “tough” policies pioneered in Denmark and aim to ensure “the UK will no longer be a magnet for illegal immigrants looking to take advantage of a generous system”.
The government argues that the UK risks becoming an “international outlier” if it does not tighten its system. It says it will seek to remove asylum support “including accommodation and benefits” from “people who have the right to work and can support themselves but choose not to do so or break UK law.”
Within the scope of the plans, “access to social assistance will be prioritized for those who contribute to the economy and communities.”
Ms Mahmood said: “This country has a proud tradition of welcoming those fleeing danger, but our generosity is drawing illegal immigrants across the Channel. The speed and scale of migration is putting huge pressure on communities.”
“This week I will announce the most sweeping changes to our asylum system in a generation. We will restore order and control at our borders.”
The government notes that Denmark remains a member of the European Convention on Human Rights but has “reduced the number of asylum applications to the lowest number in 40 years and successfully removed 95% of rejected asylum seekers.”
It states that the legal requirement to provide “guaranteed, unconditional financial assistance to all those seeking asylum who would otherwise remain destitute” is “over” and “will no longer be granted.” Instead, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will be able to “deny assistance to people who are able to work, have assets, do not comply with restraining orders, are involved in crime, disrupt housing environments or work illegally.”
He has long argued that “the UK provides a powerful pull factor for people to bypass Europe and reach our shores, offering a package of benefits and support that far exceeds our international obligations.”
Migrants’ access to benefits will be reviewed in consultations next year. They may need to take certain actions to avoid losing benefits, with the government “prioritising those who contribute and integrate into UK society”.
The Conservatives claim Labor “cannot achieve real change by overcoming left-wing backbenchers” but offer to work with Ms Mahmood “in the national interest”. However, the support is conditional on taking action to “reduce the number of asylum seekers in this country.”
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said: “We need to get our asylum system under control and that’s why the Conservatives have outlined our ‘stronger borders’ plans to leave the ECHR. But Britain cannot afford to wait until the next election, which is why I am making an offer to Labor in the national interest.
“We will work with you to strengthen the asylum system.”
He added: “It’s time Keir Starmer developed a backbone.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “Labour has lost control of our borders, with more than 62,000 people crossing the Channel since the election, and the measures they have taken so far – whether leaving the ECHR or reviewing thresholds for asylum applications – do not go far enough. “The country cannot afford any more chicanery from this weak Government.
“Real action is needed and we are ready to work with the Government to deliver it.”
Zia Yusuf, head of policy at Reform England, said: “No sane person believes Labor will solve the asylum crisis.”
Claiming that Britain had seen a surge in asylum claims under Labour’s watch, he said: “Only Reformation will build detention centres, deport illegals and stop this madness altogether.”
