UK Tightens Asylum Rules: 30 Months, 10-Year Settlement

0:00On March 1, UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmoud announced major changes to asylum rules, effective Monday. From now on, new claimants' granted protection will get just 30 months of temporary status, down from the previous five years. Those whose home countries are considered safe by the government will be expected to return home at the end of that period. The updates also doubled the waiting time for some foreign nationals to settle in the UK, now up to 10 years. This follows Mahmoud's recent trip to Denmark, where similar temporary protections slashed asylum claims by over 90 percent in a decade. The new rules won't apply to anyone who applied before Monday. Refugee charities like the Refugee Council express disappointment, arguing the short terms create uncertainty and hinder integration, work, and community ties. Some labor MPs and unions push back after the party's week showing in a recent bi-election, calling for softer policies. Mahmoud urged party support, warning that without firm controls, a hard-line opposition could take over.

1:05Experts note the changes might deter some arrivals, but question large-scale returns due to practical hurdles. The Home Office claims it has the resources for regular reviews, though critics estimate up to 725 million pounds in added costs. From over 1 million repeat checks, these reforms fit into broader plans, including longer settlement weights up to 20 years and a new border security bill coming this spring. Mahmoud stresses they address public service strains while protecting genuine refugees, aiming to curb dangerous journeys without pull factors.