Safe routes and temporary status for refugees among plans for asylum reform
Rebecca Whittaker16 November 2025 12:00
The new changes for refugees are based on Denmark’s – this is how it works there
The home secretary says her changes for refugees are based on Denmark’s, which has adopted stricter rules to tackle migration.
So, how does it work in Denmark?
In most cases refugee statuses are temporary and residency can be revoked once a country is deemed safe.
If an asylum seeker wants to achieve settlement they need to be in full-time employment for a certain amount of time.
There are also stricter rules on family reunification. The sponsor and their partner must be 24 years old and the sponsor must have not claimed welfare for three years.
Both the sponsor and their partner must also pass a Danish language test.
Rebecca Whittaker16 November 2025 11:30
Watch: Home secretary dismisses Starmer leadership speculation as ‘Westminster bubble tittle tattle’Home secretary dismisses Starmer leadership speculation as ‘Westminster bubble tittle tattle’
Rebecca Whittaker16 November 2025 11:15
Rachel Reeves urged to scrap international student levy over concerns for growth
Rebecca Whittaker16 November 2025 11:00
Angela Rayner calls leadership challenge ‘arrogant’
Angela Rayner has hit out at rumours of a potential leadership challenge as “arrogant”.
In response to the leadership challenge Rayner told the Daily Mirror: “I think Wes has clearly set out his stall after what was clearly a very turbulent couple of days.
“I think being around here [a care centre in her constituency] for the last hour just shows you actually that that tittle-tattle in Westminster it almost looks arrogant when you’ve got real challenges that real people are facing and that’s what we really need to be focusing on.
“I think the party should always be together,” she added.
Rebecca Whittaker16 November 2025 10:45
Source close to Rayner hits out at leadership claims
The Independent’s political correspondent Caitlin Doherty reports:
A source close to ex-deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner has hit out at claims she is plotting a leadership bid.
Responding to reports in the Sunday Telegraph, a source said: “This is total rubbish and obviously false.
“Amidst all the stirring and silly games, Angela is focussed on representing her local community and ensuring that the priorities she championed in government are delivered in full.”
Rebecca Whittaker16 November 2025 10:35
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the plans will not ‘make a big difference
Radical action is needed to tackle illegal immigration and government plans are just “tinkering with the edges,” shadow home secretary Chris Philp has said.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood needs to take stronger measures than proposals which include taking away accommodation, he suggested.
He told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “It’s tinkering with the edges. It’s not going to make a big difference.
“I don’t object to it in principle, but it’s not going to work. It’s not enough. It’s gimmicks. It’s rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. It’s not going to stop people getting on boats.”
He added: “They (Labour) made a huge mistake by cancelling that Rwanda deterrent with no replacement.
“Numbers have surged as a result and that is why we need radical action to come out of the ECHR (European Convention on Human Rights), which will enable us to deport every single illegal immigrant within a week of arrival and that will have a deterrent effect, not some of these little tinkering measures or gimmicks which Shabana and the Labour Party are proposing.”
Rebecca Whittaker16 November 2025 10:25
The new measures ‘stop well short of what is really required,’ says shadow home secretary
The new measures “stop short” of what is required, shadow home secretary Chris Philp said.
“The Government trumpet their removal numbers. But only a tiny fraction of these crossed by small boat, amounting to just 5 per cent of small boat arrivals in that time. And 83 per cent of the numbers returned were voluntary.
“Whilst some of these new measures are welcome, they stop well short of what is really required and some are just yet more gimmicks – like the previous ‘smash the gangs’ gimmick.”
Rebecca Whittaker16 November 2025 10:15
What are the current rules for refugees?
Under current UK rules, those granted refugee status have it for five years and can then apply for indefinite leave to remain and get on a route to citizenship.
But under new plans this will be quadrupled to 20 years, and to settle sooner people will be required to work or study.
Asylum seeker support, such as housing and weekly allowances will also be revoked.
Handouts will also be removed from those who have a right to work and who can support themselves but choose not to or those who break UK law.
Rebecca Whittaker16 November 2025 10:00
Labour MPs are ‘fighting like rats in a sack’, shadow home secretary says
The shadow home secretary has accused Labour MPs of “fighting like rats in a sack”, following rumours of a leadership challenge to Keir Starmer.
Chris Philp told Sky News they need to “get a grip” and serve the national interest.
“Instead of serving the national interest, the Labour government are fighting each other just weeks away from a budget that will unleash enormous tax rises on this country, that will drive up unemployment, even further,” he said.
Rebecca Whittaker16 November 2025 09:53