Shabana Mahmood is set to introduce new legislation to overhaul the UK’s asylum system as part a tougher approach to migration.
The home secretary will say the generosity of the British asylum system is attracting people from across the world, funding human traffickers and encouraging false asylum claims, according to a government source,
She is also expected to say the government must cut migration, or risk opening the door to the right, which would divide communities with the kind of ICE-style anti-immigration raids seen in the US.
It is hoped her plans could help to blunt the appeal of Reform UK. But they are also likely to bring criticism from within Labour, as fall-out from party losing a safe seat to the Greens, as it came third in this week’s Gorton and Denton by-election.
Ms Mahmood’s name and immigration policy was being highlighted as the blame game began in the aftermath of Labour’s defeat in the Manchester contest.
The Times has reported up to 40 Labour MPs are expected to oppose her plans, believing they are punitive and morally wrong.
But Ms Mahmood told The Telegraph that Labour could not ignore the issue.
“The levels of illegal migration are putting immense strain on our country, and our public services – creating division within communities across the country,” the home secretary said.
“Illegal migration is undermining the contract between government and its citizens – eroding support for the asylum system entirely.”
Her new strategy comes after a visit to Denmark, which has one of the toughest asylum and immigration systems in Europe. The home secretary is a long-term admirer of the model.
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Denmark’s tough stance on asylum seekers began in the mid-2010s, when prime minister Mette Frederiksen was in opposition.
Her party, the Social Democrats, moved to make protection for asylum seekers temporary, also arguing that uncontrolled immigration was placing huge pressure on working-class communities.
Since coming into office, Ms Frederiksen’s government has reduced the number of asylum applications to its lowest number in 40 years and removed 95 percent of rejected asylum seekers.
Denmark’s system also looks to deter new arrivals by largely moving to a temporary stay model, where most asylum seekers are sent back to their home country once they are deemed safe.
Ms Mahmood was taken to a reception centre on the outskirts of Copenhagen, where asylum seekers are taken by police to stay on a short-term basis, are given health checks, and have their biometrics taken.
She was then taken to a returns centre, where migrants go before being sent back to their country of origin, which included communal canteens, outdoor exercise machines, and accommodation, which included plain rooms furnished with lockers and small single beds or bunkbeds.
A Labour source told The Telegraph the party and its values will be in jeopardy without bold action on migration, but adds that Mahmood’s vision sets a path that sits between both Reform UK and the Greens.
“It is a vision that is fair, but firm, compassionate, but controlled, and one that promotes and rewards those who want to contribute to our national life.
“The alternative is the far-right raising the drawbridge and bringing havoc and chaos to Britain’s streets with ICE-style raids dividing our communities.
“The alternative under Zack Polanski is open borders, fuelling the trade in human trafficking and placing huge strain on communities and public services. Both seek to promote and profit from division within our communities.”
