Britain is set to implement its most significant asylum system reforms in modern times, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood unveiling a plan that could reshape refuge rights and migration policy. The proposals, inspired by Denmark’s model include making refugee status temporary, replacing the current indefinite leave process with regular reviews every 30 months.

A central and controversial measures would extend the waiting period for permanent settlement from five years twenty years. Mahmood defended the move as necessary to restore control and fairness to a system she described as ‘out of control’ under the pressure of small boat crossings.

In addition, the statutory duty on the government to provide automatic housing and financial assistance to asylum seekers would be scrapped. Support would become discretionary, denying help to those who can work, those with assets or those who don’t comply with the rules.

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Critics argue the reform risks destabilizing already vulnerable refugees. The Refugee Council has warned the changes could undermine integration, while rights groups question the morality of forcing people to reapply every few years.

However, Mahmood has defended her approach calling the overhaul a ‘moral mission’ to curb illegal migration and prevent criminal networks from exploiting the asylum system.