Asylum seekers face loss of housing, benefits under overhaul

Asylum seekers could lose their automatic right to housing and financial support under Labour's radical immigration crackdown.

- Caitlin Doherty, The Independent

Shabana Mahmood

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood will indicate a move away from EU law as she announces plans to scrap the UK's statutory duty to provide support to asylum seekers — with migrants also facing stricter requirements to receive and retain benefits. It is part of a major overhaul of the immigration system, inspired by the Danish model, and comes as Labour battles to restore public trust in the asylum system to see off the threat of a Reform UK government. But Ms Mahmood may face objections from some Labour backbenchers, with immigration reform seen as a divisive issue within the party.

Ahead of a speech by the home secretary laying out the reforms on Monday, the Home Office said that support will “no longer be a given" for asylum seekers, vowing that automatic handouts for those seeking refuge “will end”. The announcements being billed by the government as the largest overhaul of asylum policy in modern times and a move to “restore order” to the rules. Ministers hope it will reduce the incentive for small boat migrants to claim refuge in the UK, with Home Office officials insisting Britain will no longer be a “magnet for illegal migrants” seeking to benefit. Outlining her changes, Ms Mahmood said the “pace and scale of migration” is putting “immense pressure” on communities.