The UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced new measures aimed at tightening control over irregular arrivals while maintaining the country’s commitment to providing refuge. Addressing Parliament, she noted that some families with rejected asylum claims were not being removed despite returning to safe home countries being possible. The proposals introduce revised procedures for assessing asylum claims, reinforce safe and legal resettlement pathways, and outline clearer processes for returning individuals who are found not to require international protection.
Responding to the announcement, UNHCR’s UK Representative Vicky Tennant emphasized the fundamental distinction between refugees and migrants, stressing that refugees flee conflict, instability and human rights abuses. She noted that fair and efficient asylum systems are essential for quickly identifying those in need of protection and welcomed the UK Government’s balanced focus on border management and safeguarding humanitarian commitments. Tennant added that effective migration pathways for economic migrants and functional return mechanisms for those without valid claims are equally important.
UNHCR also encouraged strong cooperation with European and global partners to share responsibilities, pointing to arrangements such as the UK-France ‘one-in, one-out’ system as examples of coordinated approaches. The agency highlighted that refugees require long-term stability, including secure status, opportunities to reunite with family and the ability to rebuild their lives. It warned that short-term protection measures and restrictive family reunion policies can create prolonged uncertainty and hinder integration.
The agency further emphasized the need for safe, regular routes—such as the UK Resettlement Scheme and initiatives for Syrians, Ukrainians and Afghans—as essential alternatives to dangerous journeys. With global displacement at record levels, UNHCR underscored that compassion, efficiency, shared responsibility and international cooperation are critical. It reaffirmed its readiness to support the UK and other governments in ensuring access to asylum, upholding rights and strengthening social cohesion.
