UK set to limit refugees to temporary stays

People granted asylum in the UK will only be allowed to stay in the country temporarily, in a huge change of policy that will be announced on Monday.

The home secretary, Shabana Mahmood is expected to declare that the era of permanent protection for refugees is over, as she seeks to reduce asylum claims and small boat crossings.

Under the plans, those granted asylum will be returned to their home country when it is deemed safe and their status will be regularly reviewed.

Currently, refugee status in the UK lasts for five years, after which they can apply for indefinite leave to remain and have a route to citizenship.

Government insiders are describing a move to temporary status for all successful asylum seekers as a "significant shift".

The policy has been copied from Denmark, where a government led by the centre-left Social Democrats has presided over one of the toughest asylum and immigration systems in Europe.

In Denmark, refugees are given temporary residence permits, typically of two years, and in effect have to re-apply for asylum when they expire.

Even for those who are allowed to extend multiple times, the route to citizenship has grown longer and harder.

The Danish approach is admired by UK government ministers, including Mahmood, who point out that as the Social Democrat party's immigration policies hardened their poll ratings rose - and those of a populist right-wing movement, the People's Party, fell.

The home secretary believes that unless Labour takes similar decisions then "darker forces" could thrive in the UK.

Mahmood believes Denmark's policies serve as a disincentive for people to seek asylum in the first place and is impressed that successful claims are at a 40-year low.

And she believes that what she sees as the current generosity of the UK system is acting as a magnet, and driving small boat crossings.

In a social media video posted on X trailing her announcement, Mahmood said: "We will always be a country that gives sanctuary to people who are fleeing danger but we must restore order and control."

On Monday, I will announce the most significant changes to our asylum system in modern times 👇 pic.twitter.com/eXAVYdD4kD

— Shabana Mahmood MP (@ShabanaMahmood) November 14, 2025

But copying Denmark too closely would be controversial.

Four years ago the Danish government planned to return around 200 refugees to Syria even while a civil war raged - because it said some parts of Damascus were safe.

And Mahmood's new approach will certainly face opposition from some Labour MPs.

Labour left-winger, Nadia Whittome, said following in Denmark's path would be a "dead end - morally, politically and electorally".

Both Reform UK and the Conservatives argue that it would be more effective to leave the ECHR entirely.

And rather than giving refugees temporary status, Reform UK say they would detain and deport cross-channel arrivals.

The Conservatives argue that the only way to stop small boats is to bring back their scheme to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, which was scrapped by Labour.

The home secretary is likely to acknowledge on Monday that the UK's borders are "out of control".