UK to cut protections for refugees

BRITAIN will drastically reduce protections for refugees and end automatic benefits for asylum seekers, the Labour government announced at the weekend, under new plans aimed at slashing irregular immigration and countering the hard-right.

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The measures, modelled on Denmark's strict asylum system, were announced as Prime Minister Keir Starmer comes under pressure from surging popularity for the anti-immigrant Reform UK party.

"I'll end UK's golden ticket for asylum seekers," interior minister Shabana Mahmood declared in a statement.

But the head of Britain's Refugee Council warned the government the measures would not deter people from trying to reach Britain, and urged a rethink.

Presently, those given refugee status have it for five years, after which they can apply for indefinite leave to remain and eventually citizenship.

But Mahmood's ministry, known as the Home Office, said it would cut the length of refugee status to 30 months.