Ministers move to tighten asylum rules
The government is preparing sweeping reforms to the way human rights laws are applied in asylum cases, as ministers seek to demonstrate that they have a credible plan to cut clandestine migration and rebuild public confidence.
Home secretary Shabana Mahmood today set out legislation aimed at reshaping how Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights is interpreted.
The Home Office says the changes will give greater weight to the “public interest” in removing foreign offenders and those who entered the UK illegally, though it has yet to outline precisely how this will be done.
Only immediate family members – such as a parent or child – will count as “family connections” under Article 8. Any relationships formed after an individual has been instructed to leave the UK will no longer be considered during appeals, even if a child is born during that period.
The reforms come after a turbulent week for Sir Keir Starmer, marked by leadership speculation and a Budget-related tax U-turn that shook market confidence. Senior figures say the prime minister is determined to show that Labour can significantly reduce irregular crossings to regain public trust.
System pressures driving urgency
Mahmood has announced further measures designed to tackle illegal migration, including extending from five to 20 years the period refugees must wait before gaining permanent settlement. The Home Office has also warned Angola, DR Congo and Namibia that their visa access will be suspended unless they cooperate over returns of foreign offenders and failed asylum seekers.
Accommodation and financial support will be withdrawn from asylum seekers who have the right to work but are not employed, although fewer than 10 per cent currently qualify. The Home Office also plans to limit the number of appeals for rejected applicants and fast track cases with little prospect of success. More than 50,000 appeals were awaiting a tribunal hearing in August, up sharply from early 2024.
Labour faces backlash over rightward shift
Refugee charities argue that making the system harsher will not deter people from coming to the UK, citing factors such as family ties and language familiarity as the main drivers of migration.
