Refugees seeking permanent settlement in the UK will face longer wait times than the current five-year period under proposed government reforms to the asylum system. The government has also confirmed plans to permanently abolish the route that allowed refugees to settle in the UK with close family members automatically, a pathway that was temporarily suspended in September.
Chief Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer commented on these changes, stating that “there will be no golden ticket to permanent settlement in the UK; people will have to earn it,” emphasizing a shift toward a merit-based approach within the broader UK settlement status process. This proposal coincides with ongoing discussions at the European Political Community summit in Copenhagen, where Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is meeting with European leaders to address illegal migration challenges and how refugees settle in the UK. Ahead of that summit, he announced that fundamental reforms are underway to demonstrate that “settlement must be earned by contributing to the country.
These new measures are similar to reforms already proposed for other visa categories, such as work visas, where many applicants will be required to wait up to 10 years before qualifying for permanent settlement. Earlier this week, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood outlined plans to make it more difficult for other migrant groups to obtain indefinite leave to remain, including requirements to demonstrate high-level English proficiency, a clean criminal record, and community volunteering.
Details regarding the specific conditions refugees must meet to qualify for settlement, including those planning to bring family members, are expected to be announced later this autumn. As part of ongoing discussions surrounding refugee resettlement facts and how refugees settle in the UK, a government source defended these measures, claiming that the UK had been “overly generous” towards asylum seekers and expressing a desire to reduce “pull factors” that attract migrants.
However, critics such as shadow home secretary Chris Philp dismissed the reforms as mere political “gimmicks” that would have little real impact. The Refugee Council, a charity, warned that the government’s approach to the UK settlement status process would not deter migrants but rather push more desperate individuals towards smugglers in hopes of reuniting with loved ones.
The UK government has been actively working to reduce the number of crossings by small boats across the Channel, which has reached high levels despite promises from the Labour Party—who took power in July 2024—to “stop the chaos” of what they term the “small boat crisis.” Currently, refugees settle in the UK through an application process that allows them to obtain indefinite leave to remain after five years, affording them the right to live, work, and study long-term, provided they meet certain conditions.
Under the upcoming reforms, refugees will be offered a “core protection” package but will be required to follow a longer, contribution-based route to settlement, replacing the current five-year process. Reform UK has proposed replacing indefinite leave to remain with visas that need renewing every five years, excluding EU citizens whose rights are protected under Brexit agreements. The Migration Observatory estimates around 4.5 million people hold indefinite leave to remain, including approximately 430,000 non-EU citizens.
Changes to settlement procedures will also impact family reunion policies. Migration Minister Mike Tapp described the reforms as “fair but firm” measures designed to prevent “shop around” asylum claims. He stated that asylum seekers had been “looking for the most generous, almost soft touch” systems, and emphasized that the UK aims to be “not a soft touch—fair but firm.” While asylum applications will continue to be assessed on a case-by-case basis, removing automatic family reunion rights and settlement pathways for those seeking permanent settlement in the UK brings the country’s approach closer to European standards and affects how refugees settle in the UK, Tapp argued.
He also noted an increase in the number of migrants returned to France under the “one in, one out” deal signed in July, which saw the first family of three transferred to France last week. Under the treaty, France agrees to accept migrants who have traveled to the UK via small boats and have had their asylum claims withdrawn or deemed inadmissible, with the UK accepting individuals with valid protection claims who have not attempted to cross the Channel.
Recent figures from the Home Office report that 1,899 migrants crossed the Channel since Saturday, boosting the total crossings since 2025 beyond 34,000. During the Copenhagen summit, Sir Keir Starmer will meet Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, with plans to announce £3 million to encourage people from Western Balkan countries to stay in their regions rather than migrate. The UK is also contributing up to £5.75 million to Italy’s Rome Process, aimed at reducing migrant crossings from Africa into Europe.
Furthermore, discussions are underway about reforming the European Convention on Human Rights, especially Article 3, which prohibits torture and degrading treatment. Sir Keir Starmer expressed reluctance to “tear down” human rights laws but indicated openness to reconsidering certain provisions. These developments follow a Labour Party conference focused heavily on addressing recent polling leadings by Reform UK, which has been gaining ground in recent months. The Conservative Party’s upcoming conference is scheduled to start this Sunday.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is being discussed regarding the European Convention on Human Rights?
Discussions are currently underway about reforming the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), with particular focus on Article 3, which prohibits torture and degrading treatment.
Why is Article 3 significant in these discussions?
Article 3 is central to protecting individuals from inhumane treatment. Any reform to this article could have major implications for how the UK handles asylum, migration, and detention cases under human rights law.
What is Sir Keir Starmer’s position on reforming human rights laws?
Sir Keir Starmer has expressed reluctance to dismantle existing human rights laws but has shown openness to reviewing specific provisions that may need adjustment to align with current policy goals.
