STORY
The UK Government, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, today announced sweeping changes to the country’s asylum system aimed at reducing the attractiveness of the UK to irregular arrivals and accelerating removals of those without a legitimate claim.
Although the Government argues these reforms represent the most significant overhaul of the asylum regime in decades, the proposals have already sparked criticism. Campaigners and some Labour MPs warn the changes risk harming vulnerable individuals fleeing persecution and could undermine integration by creating longer-term uncertainty. Mahmood is to make a more detailed statement on the Government’s plans later on today.