Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has expressed frustration with the government's approach to deporting families of failed asylum seekers, claiming that it lacks necessary toughness. In a policy document outlining plans for significant reforms to asylum laws, Mahmood acknowledged that many families continue to live in the UK without making progress on their claims, receiving free accommodation and financial support.
This move is expected to exacerbate tensions with refugee organizations and Labour MPs, who are warning of potential rebellion against Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government. The document states that the government will now provide financial support to allow families to return to their home countries, and if they refuse this support, enforcement action will be taken.
Enforcement plans include escalating removal efforts for families with children under 18 whose asylum claims have been rejected. Mahmood stated that the government would consult on measures allowing the removal of financial support from such families. The move aims to create a more hard-headed approach, including commencing measures from the 2016 Immigration Act that would allow for support removal.
As part of these reforms, the government plans to introduce incentive payments of thousands of pounds for asylum seekers who voluntarily leave the UK if their claims are rejected. This trial will encourage claimants to depart the country without resorting to enforced removal. The policy aims to find a balance between financial packages and enforcement action, with Mahmood emphasizing that this approach is cost-effective for taxpayers.
The Home Secretary's proposals are likely to spark controversy among those advocating for refugee rights and Labour MPs who oppose the government's stance on asylum seekers.
This move is expected to exacerbate tensions with refugee organizations and Labour MPs, who are warning of potential rebellion against Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government. The document states that the government will now provide financial support to allow families to return to their home countries, and if they refuse this support, enforcement action will be taken.
Enforcement plans include escalating removal efforts for families with children under 18 whose asylum claims have been rejected. Mahmood stated that the government would consult on measures allowing the removal of financial support from such families. The move aims to create a more hard-headed approach, including commencing measures from the 2016 Immigration Act that would allow for support removal.
As part of these reforms, the government plans to introduce incentive payments of thousands of pounds for asylum seekers who voluntarily leave the UK if their claims are rejected. This trial will encourage claimants to depart the country without resorting to enforced removal. The policy aims to find a balance between financial packages and enforcement action, with Mahmood emphasizing that this approach is cost-effective for taxpayers.
The Home Secretary's proposals are likely to spark controversy among those advocating for refugee rights and Labour MPs who oppose the government's stance on asylum seekers.
... like, what about the kids? shouldn't we be looking out for them too? 
i mean, free accommodation and financial support is already in place, so why bother with enforcement action? 
it's all just gonna cause more stress and heartache, imo...
i mean, thousands of pounds to leave the uk? that's not exactly 'incentive'... more like 'get out while you still can' 
and what about all the families with kids under 18? doesn't the govt care about them at all? 
it just feels like they're trying to make asylum seekers feel guilty for seeking help 
I'm literally SHOOK by this news!!! They're actually gonna cut off financial support from families of failed asylum seekers if they refuse to leave the country?!? That's, like, so not fair! 
What about all these poor families who are already struggling to make ends meet while their cases are being processed? It's gotta be hard enough for them without losing access to basic resources. 
It feels like they're caught between getting support and not getting support. 
i'm so worried about these fams 
they're already strugglin to make ends meet & now u want 2 deport 'em 
but at the same time, i get whr shabana mahmood is comin from 
n all, i wish they cud find a better way 2 help these ppl 
they're trying to fix the whole UK asylum situation but i'm worried it's gonna backfire on them 
i think the government needs to think this through better, we can't just sweep problems under the rug... or in this case, deport families 
. On the other hand, incentivizing voluntary departures could save taxpayers £10 million a year 
. The stats say 40% of asylum seekers are left in limbo for over 2 years 
...