Britain announced the biggest change to its asylum policy in recent memory.

Drawing inspiration from Denmark’s approach, which is among the strictest in Europe and has been heavily attacked by rights organisations, Britain announced on Saturday that it would begin the biggest revamp of its refugee policies in modern times.

In an effort to curb the growing popularity of the populist Reform UK party, which has spearheaded the immigration debate and compelled Labour to take a more assertive stance, the Labour administration has been tightening its immigration laws, especially with regard to illegal small-boat crossings from France.

The Home Office (interior ministry) noted in a statement that the amendments include the revocation of the legislative obligation to give certain asylum seekers with support, such as accommodation and weekly allowances.

According to the department, which is headed by Shabana Mahmood, the measures will be applicable to both lawbreakers and asylum seekers who are able to work but choose not to. It said that those who contribute to the local economy and communities would receive priority for taxpayer-funded assistance.

Mahmood is scheduled to give more information on the measures on Monday. According to the Home Office, the measures are intended to make Britain less appealing to illegal migrants and facilitate their removal.

“This country has a proud tradition of welcoming those fleeing danger, but our generosity is drawing illegal migrants across the Channel,” Mahmood stated. “The pace and scale of migration is placing immense pressure on communities.”

Mahmood was urged by more than 100 British charities to “end the scapegoating of migrants and performative policies that only cause harm” because they believe that these actions are encouraging racism and violence.

According to polls, voters are now more concerned about immigration than the economy. In the year ending March 2025, there were about 109,343 asylum claims in the UK, which was 17% more than the previous year and 6% more than the peak of 103,081 in 2002.

Denmark and other European nations served as inspiration for the UK government.

According to the Home Office, Denmark and other European nations where integration is anticipated, help is conditional, and refugee status is temporary will serve as models for its reforms.

“The UK will now match and in some areas exceed these standards,” the department declared.

Senior Home Office officials travelled to Copenhagen earlier this year to examine Denmark’s asylum policy, which only offers temporary residency cards to refugees, often for a period of two years, and requires them to reapply when those licenses expire.

Asylum seekers may return home if the Social Democratic Danish government determines that it is safe to do so. Stricter rules for family reunion have also been added, lengthening and complicating the process to citizenship.

The 2016 law, among other things, permits Danish authorities to confiscate the belongings of asylum seekers in order to defray the expense of support.

Those who can demonstrate that they are unsafe at home are currently granted asylum in Britain, while those who are judged to be at risk of persecution are granted refugee status. They can seek for permanent settlement if they meet specific requirements after their five-year status expires.

For more than ten years, Denmark has been renowned for its strict immigration laws, which, according to the Home Office, have led to the removal of 95% of denied applications and a 40-year low in asylum requests.

Protection is undermined by Denmark’s policy, according to rights groups.

According to Britain’s Refugee Council, refugees do not compare asylum systems when they are escaping danger; rather, they come to the UK because of previous connections, family ties, or a basic understanding of English that enables them to start over safely.

In the UK, anti-immigration sentiment has been on the rise, as evidenced by demonstrations outside hotels that are providing state-funded accommodation to asylum seekers this summer.

Since more than a million people—mostly Syrian refugees—arrived via the Mediterranean in 2015–16, taxing some nations’ infrastructure, this sentiment has also expanded throughout the European Union. EU member states have concentrated on returns and lowering arrivals since they cannot agree on how to divide responsibility.

Rights organisations have criticised Denmark’s reforms, which were put into place while the country is still a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights, for creating a hostile environment for migrants, undermining protection, and leaving asylum seekers in a state of extended uncertainty.