Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has introduced a major policy shift where all new refugees in the UK will receive only a temporary 30-month status, replacing the previous five-year path to settlement. Under the new policy, refugees whose home countries are later deemed “safe” will be expected to return, a move aimed at reducing “pull factors” and addressing public concerns about pressure on services. Under these rules, refugees will face mandatory reviews every two and a half years and will be expected to return home if their country of origin is deemed safe. The government argues this “Danish-style” approach reduces pull factors and eases pressure on public services, though critics warn it will cost up to £725 million in administrative fees and severely hinder long-term integration.
Date: March 1, 2026. Source: theguardian.com