Keir Starmer faces PMQs after announcing 'sweeping' asylum reforms

Keir Starmer is set to face Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday after his Government announced “the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times”.

UK home secretary Shabana Mahmood introduced plans to completely overhaul the UK’s asylum and returns policy in the House of Commons on Monday.

The proposals are aimed at making Britain a less attractive destination for illegal migrants and making it easier to remove them from the UK.

Explaining her proposals, Mahmood said asylum seekers and refugees would not be offered the “generous terms they currently receive”.

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The home secretary said ‘illegal migration is making this country a more divided place’.

If approved, the proposals would bring “sweeping” changes to the asylum system, including:

Refugee status will last only until a refugee can safely return home
Initial leave to remain will be halved from five years to 30 months
No path to indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in the UK
Plans under way to remove support from families who have had their asylum claims rejected but remain in the country
Refugees will be required to contribute towards cost of support with assets or income
Government to scale up deportations of those whose refugee claims have failed and impose sanctions on countries that refuse to take citizens back
Labour is exploring use of ‘return hubs’ in third countries where failed asylum seekers can be sent instead of country of origin
Plans to end unlimited asylum appeals to create ‘single appeal route’

Around 20 Labour MPs have so far publicly opposed the asylum overhaul – a relatively small number within the more than 400-strong Parliamentary Labour Party.

Former Labour frontbencher Richard Burgon said the policy was “a desperate attempt to triangulate with Reform,” while Ian Lavery said that when the Tories and Reform were backing the policies “is it not time to question whether we’re actually in the right place?”.

Reform leader Mr Farage, meanwhile, praised the measures as “extremely encouraging” while questioning whether it would be implemented.

The Prime Minister will likely be questioned about the asylum proposals and the direction of his party.

PMQs will be broadcast from the House of Commons at midday on Wednesday.