UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood signals a possible major rise in payouts for migrants returning home, insisting the policy remains effective.
As reported by The Standard, Shabana Mahmood said she may approve a “big increase” in payments for voluntary migrant returns, arguing the scheme offers strong “value for money.”
What did Shabana Mahmood say about raising return payments?
Shabana Mahmood said she has instructed officials to pilot a small scheme with higher payments to assess its impact on migrant behaviour.
The British government currently offers payments of up to £3,000 to people with no right to remain who choose to return to their home countries voluntarily.
As part of Monday’s proposed asylum reforms, Ms Mahmood confirmed that financial packages for voluntary returns will remain in place. However, she indicated the payments could be increased.
The home secretary said,
“I haven’t alighted on the full sums involved yet, but I am willing to consider a big increase on what we currently pay.”
Ms Mahmood stated,
“I know it sticks in the craw of many people and they don’t like it, but it is value for money, it does work, and a voluntary return is often the very best way to get people to return to their home country as quickly as possible.”
Labour backbenchers have strongly criticised the Home Secretary’s asylum reforms, which aim to limit asylum seekers and streamline the removal of individuals without legal status.
The new asylum measures were endorsed by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, also known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who said,
“The Overton window has been obliterated, well done patriots.”
The term “Overton window” refers to the range of political ideas considered acceptable at a given moment.
When questioned about the far-right activist’s comments, Ms Mahmood said she would have no dealings with him but stressed the government must lead the debate on migration, not the far right.
The home secretary added,
“If mainstream politics cannot have a discussion about secure borders and the rules by which people enter this country and the rules by which they must leave, if we cede that territory to the far right, if we show that we are either unable, unwilling, or simply don’t have the capacity to even think about the issue properly, and we cede it all to the far right, then we have let our country down.”
Responding to Reform UK politicians who claimed she was echoing their rhetoric, Ms Mahmood said party leader Nigel Farage was “not looking to fix this problem.”
She added,
“They’re making mischief, but it’s me that’s living now rent-free in their heads because I’m a politician that’s willing to both acknowledge a problem and have the solutions that are needed to fix it. They just need an issue to exploit.”
What are the UK’s new asylum measures?
- Refugees may need to reapply every 30 months, as permanent status is not permanent.
- Illegal new arrivals could wait up to 20 years for settlement/citizenship.
- The courts’ interpretation of human rights, especially those related to family life, is limited.
- Ukrainians on temporary visas may have to return after the war.
- Housing and financial support for asylum seekers could be reduced; high-value items may be used to cover costs.
- AI tools are planned to verify migrant ages.
- Visa bans are possible for Angola, Namibia, and DR Congo if deportation cooperation is low.
