Mahmood doubles down on reforms — so what’s next?

Home secretary’s plan to change the rules on refugees could lead to a clash with her colleagues, as Sean O’Grady explains

- Sean O’Grady

Shabana Mahmood is pressing ahead with radical immigration reforms she describes as nothing less than “existential” for Britain.

The first changes took effect yesterday, and legislation will follow so she can take the next steps in her quest to deal with this intractable challenge, but she will face a battle with her own party as well as with Reform UK. Did she really say her migration policies are ‘existential’?

Yes, and she made a reasonable case for the hyperbole: “Honestly, I really believe these reforms are existential for us as a country, and we have a real problem with a lack of control in our border system and what that does to public trust and confidence in politics, but also in the ability of the state to actually just do anything at all.”

What is changing now?

Until now, asylum seekers who had their refugee status validated were granted leave to remain for five years, after which time they could be granted permanent resident status, known as indefinite leave to remain, and they could also apply for UK citizenship.

From today, even refugees accepted as genuine by Britain will be granted only temporary protection. They must have their cases reviewed every 30 months and, if it is judged safe for them to return to their countries of origin, then they will be required to do so. The only exception to this will be for unaccompanied children.

What’s next?