Mahmood backs tougher legislation on migration

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood is to introduce new legislation to overhaul Britain's asylum system as she pushes for bold action on migration to blunt the appeal of Reform UK.

- GEORGE LITHGOW

She will say the government must cut migration or risk opening the door to the right who would divide communities with the kind of anti-immigration raids seen in the US. Ms Mahmood, who faces the prospect of a backbench revolt over the plans, will argue next week that migration reform is consistent with Labour values.

According to a government source, she is expected to say Britain will always provide sanctuary to people genuinely fleeing war and danger, but the generosity of the asylum system is attracting people from across the world, funding human traffickers and encouraging false asylum claims.

This week, the home secretary visited Denmark, which has one of the toughest asylum and immigration systems in Europe.