UK asylum seekers to face 20-year settlement wait
People who receive asylum in the UK will face a 20-year wait before they can apply for permanent settlement. The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, will announce the plan on Monday. The government wants to cut small boat crossings and reduce asylum claims.
The plan will place refugees on temporary stay. Officials will review their status every two-and-a-half years. They will ask people to return if their home country becomes safe. The current rule allows refugees to apply for permanent status after five years.
Mahmood said the plan warns people against entering the UK through unlawful routes. She told the Sunday Times that such movement harms the country. She said the government must act fast to reduce tension across communities.
The plan follows Denmark’s system. Denmark issues short permits that last two years. Refugees then re-apply when the permits expire.
Some Labour MPs will object to the plan. Liberal Democrat spokesperson Max Wilkinson said the government must fix delays in claim processing. He said fast decisions help remove people who have no right to stay.
Refugee Council chief Enver Solomon said the plan is harsh. He said it will not stop people who flee torture, war, or persecution.
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