The UK’s immigration system is on the brink of a significant overhaul, as the Home Secretary prepares to unveil a series of reforms inspired by Denmark’s stringent policies. Shabana Mahmood is reportedly considering measures that would streamline the deportation process and decrease the allure for potential immigrants looking to settle in the UK.
Denmark’s immigration framework, known for its rigorous regulations on family reunification and restrictive terms for refugee stays, serves as the model for these proposed changes. The impact of these policies is evident, as Denmark has witnessed a dramatic decline in asylum claims, reaching a record low in over four decades. This shift is largely attributed to the Social Democrats, led by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who share ties with the Labour Party.
Since taking office in 2019, Frederiksen has prioritized controlling immigration, championing a ‘zero-refugee’ policy that aims to deter individuals from seeking refuge in Denmark. Her approach has garnered attention for its effectiveness in curbing immigration numbers.
The UK government’s inclination towards a firmer immigration stance became apparent when Keir Starmer appointed Mahmood as Home Secretary in a recent cabinet reshuffle, succeeding Yvette Cooper. This move underscores the administration’s commitment to adopting a more stringent immigration strategy.
Since coming to power in 2019, Frederiksen has made tackling out-of-control immigration a key priority, vowing to pursue a ‘zero-refugee’ policy that involves actively discouraging people from coming to the country.
Keir Starmer signaled the government would be taking a tougher stance on immigration when he appointed Mahmood as Home Secretary, replacing Yvette Cooper, during a cabinet reshuffle in September.
Mahmood is seen as a hardliner on immigration and has promised ‘do whatever it takes’ to regain control of Britain’s borders. And it is likely that her further shift towards stricter rules in the UK could trigger backlash from left leaning Labour MPs.
Some have already voiced concerns about taking inspiration from the Danish system, with one claiming their rules were ‘hardcore’ and contained echoes of the far right.
But others have argued that failing to tackle small boat crossings and taking a harder stance on immigration would see the party ‘annihilated’ at the next general election as popularity for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK continues to surge.
The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood (pictured) is set to announce a huge shake-up of the UK’s immigration system
People thought to be migrants board a small boat in Gravelines, France, on Friday
But, despite Denmark’s rules remaining controversial, no one can deny its success, with asylum claims dropping by almost 90 per cent over the past decade.
Last year they plummeted to 2,333, while the UK total hit a record 108,138.
It marks a major shift from Denmark’s 2015 migration crisis, when annual asylum requests reached 21,316 in a country of only six million.
Some of the country’s policies have been accused of being discriminatory while others appear to quite deliberately introduce a hostile environment for migrants.
Asylum seekers refused the right to stay are denied benefits. They get food, served three times a day, at the country’s two deportation camps
They are sent to the camps to await removal by the Danish Returns Agency, which gets extra funds for results.
Migrants are also given financial incentives to leave and are handed £4,500 if they return home voluntarily.
And if a migrant’s country of origin is deemed ‘safe’, even a successful asylum seeker can lose Danish residency and face being returned home.
Senior Home Office officials visited Copenhagen last month to examine what lessons could be learnt from their immigration system, according to the BBC.
They are said to be particularly interested in how Denmark has restricted family reunification, which is often a major incentive for seeking asylum.
In September, the UK Government announced that new applications to the existing refugee family reunion route would be suspended as they work up new rules.
The family reunion visa route allows people granted asylum or humanitarian protection in the UK to apply to bring immediate family to join them.
Unlike other migrants applying for asylum, they would not have to fulfil the income and English-language tests required to stay in the UK.
Mahmood will supposedly not go as far as Denmark when she introduces reforms to family reunion routes, although it is believed measures will be more restrictive.
Rasmus Stoklund, Denmark’s minister for Immigration and Integration, said cracking down on immigration and enforcing stricter integration rules was key to protecting the nature of Danish society.
He told the BBC: ‘We expect people who come here to participate and contribute positively and if they don’t, they aren’t welcome.’
Rasmus Stoklund, who is Denmark’s minister for Immigration and Integration
Other deterrents Mahmood could introduce include plans to force small boat migrants to repay their hotel and benefit costs if granted asylum.
The policy, which would act like a ‘student loan repayment’ is being back by Labour MPs in the ‘Red Wall’, who are under threat from Reform.
The latest polling in Denmark shows that the Social Democrats remain by far the most popular party, with 22.9 per cent of the vote – nearly 10 points ahead of the second-biggest rival.
By contrast, the Danish People’s Party, which is usually described as far-Right, is on just 4.4 per cent, down from 21.1 per cent ten years ago.
