United Kingdom (Parliament Politics Magazine) – UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman Mahmood announced a stricter immigration policy requiring migrants to earn the right to remain in the UK through work and contribution. She emphasised the government’s commitment to reducing illegal migration and reforming asylum rules to control borders.
New Immigration Policy Focuses on Earning Right to Stay
As reported by Kate Proctor of The Guardian, UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman Mahmood outlined a firm new immigration stance that migrants must demonstrate their ability to economically contribute to the UK to live there legally . Mahmood stressed that the government’s priorities include making the immigration system fair but stringent, ensuring only those who “earn their place” can settle .
She highlighted reforms designed to crack down on illegal immigration and reduce reliance on the asylum system, indicating that border security will be significantly strengthened going forward .
Work-Based Criteria for Migration
The Home Secretary articulated that eligibility to remain would primarily depend on migrants having a valid job offer or being actively engaged in lawful employment. The policy moves away from blanket rights based on refugee or family reunion statuses alone, aiming instead to focus on economic self-sufficiency .
One statement from Mahmood during the Commons briefing recorded by David Lammy of Sky News described migrants needing to
“earn their right to live in this country, contribute to our economy, pay taxes, and integrate into society” .
Tougher Border Controls and Asylum System Overhaul
Mahmood announced that the government would continue investing in enhanced border technologies and cooperating internationally to disrupt human trafficking networks operating in the Channel migrant crossings .
She also confirmed plans to overhaul the asylum process, introducing faster decision-making and fewer opportunities for repeated claims, aiming to discourage abuse of the system by those not genuinely seeking refuge .
Political and Public Reactions
The policy has drawn mixed responses across the political spectrum. Labour leader Keir Starmer criticised the approach as overly harsh, arguing that it risks ignoring humanitarian responsibilities and could damage the UK’s global reputation on migration .
Conversely, Conservative MPs praised the move as necessary to restore order to immigration and address public concerns about border security and resource pressures .
Statistics on Migration and Government Ambitions
According to Home Office data cited by The Independent’s Dominic Kennedy, illegal crossings in the English Channel rose sharply over the last five years, putting strain on enforcement agencies and local communities.
Mahmood’s policy aims to reduce such crossings by 80% over the next three years through a combination of deterrence, enforcement, and legal pathways reforms .
Implications for Migrants and UK Society
Experts warn that while economic criteria may streamline immigration, complex cases involving asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants may face challenges under the tougher rules. Immigration lawyers are calling for safeguards to protect genuine refugees while maintaining border integrity.
Community groups urge the government to balance security with support for integration, warning that overly strict policies could exacerbate social tensions.