Overview
- The plan replaces five-year refugee leave with a 30-month “core protection” reviewed repeatedly and extends the route to permanent settlement to 20 years while curbing family reunion and making housing and subsistence support discretionary.
- Rejected families would be offered payments to leave, with enforced removals possible if they refuse; the Home Office says this targets incentives it claims draw children to small-boat journeys.
- Ministers say the package is needed to deter crossings and cut costs, and they have confirmed valuables could be taken to recoup expenses, though “sentimental” jewellery will not be seized.
- More than two dozen Labour MPs and peers, led by Lord Alf Dubs, have condemned the measures as harmful and unworkable, as refugee groups warn the changes will not stop boats and will deepen destitution.
- Conservatives and Reform UK welcomed the tougher stance—while urging ECHR exit or doubting delivery—as officials begin consultations on removal mechanisms and other operational details.