Asylum policy has faced major and immediate changes as of March 2nd 2026, as the UK transforms its approach away from the permanent protection of asylum seekers and towards a temporary ‘core protection’ model. This is a part of the government’s ‘Restoring Order and Control’ policy paper.  

Asylum seekers will be expected to return to their country of origin, if it is safe to do so.

This means that successful asylum claims will only enable 30 months of protected stay in the UK.  After this time period, cases will be reviewed and asylum seekers will be expected to return to their country of origin, if it is safe to do so. This is a significant change from existing rules where asylum seekers were protected for 5 years with allowances to bring family, followed by access to permanent settlement, benefits, and housing.  

Furthermore, new reforms mean the time required for refugees to gain permanent settlement has been extended to 20 years and up to 30 years, if they arrive in the UK illegally.  Refugees identified as having skills, such as by obtaining a job or beginning a course of study can apply to the ‘Protection Work and Study’ route which involves a shorter qualifying period for settlement. However, details of how much shorter this route will be have not been released.  Unaccompanied children will still receive 5 years of protection as further work and discussion is still in progress around potential changes for this group. 

The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood MP, describes this as a ‘firm but fair approach, restoring order and control of Britain’s borders’.

The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood MP, describes this as a ‘firm but fair approach, restoring order and control of Britain’s borders’. These reforms follow the Home Secretary’s visit to Denmark, where asylum claims have been reduced by more than 90% in a decade.  

The UK will become more restrictive than Denmark and other European countries in some respects, particularly around the length of time required for asylum seekers to gain permanent settlement.  These strict policies are a response to high concern because, for example, in 2025 41,472 migrants crossed the channel in small boats, an increase of 5000 from the previous year.  This has become a highly politicised topic and is a significant issue that could make or break the Labour party for the next election, particularly if the Labour government fails to keep its pledge to end the use of asylum hotels.  The Home Secretary argues Britain’s generous policies have ‘become a pull-factor that has seen asylum claims in Britain rise steeply’, meaning the government’s firm approach constitutes an attempt to make the UK less attractive.  This is also an effort to prevent the draw of illegal migration routes which involve dangerous journeys and fuel human trafficking.  

Despite extensive justification from the government, the reforms still face much criticism.

Despite extensive justification from the government, the reforms still face much criticism.  For example, the policies have faced criticism from Zack Polanski who accused Labour of echoing the rhetoric of the far-right, such as Reform UK, on immigration.  This criticises the extent to which the Labour party still represents the interests and ideals of the left of the political spectrum. 

There are also concerns from Labour supporters, such as MP’s, peers and affiliated unions, that pressing these policies so soon after Labour lost in the Gordon and Denton byelections will only worsen their already poor popularity ratings.   

Furthermore, other opposition focuses on the well-being of asylum seekers since there is concern that this temporary status could undermine Article 34 of the refugee convention which aims to facilitate the assimilation and naturalisation of refugees.  By only allowing 30 months of stay in the UK, there are concerns that this will damage refugee’s  prospects for integration as well as their mental health, leading to worse long term outcomes for refugees.  This temporary status may trap refugees in a cycle of uncertainty and instability, which disproportionately affects women, especially single mothers, who may become trapped in a cycle of poverty and harm.  

The immediate implementation of these policies has shocked many and will have significant impacts for asylum seekers entering the UK.  Time will tell whether these policies will have the Home Secretary’s intended impact since much of its success relies on the perceived attractiveness of the UK to asylum seekers, something that cannot be changed overnight.  The policies tell us a lot about the strategic pathway this government is taking in the face of plummeting popularity ratings but, with much criticism and controversy, it is difficult to tell whether this will help or hinder the Labour government.

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