A Labour migration minister has been grilled by GB News’ Camilla Tominey over the state of “soft touch Britain” after the Home Secretary vowed to put an end to “golden tickets” for asylum seekers.
In an announcement on Saturday evening, refugees will be forced to return to their home countries when it is deemed safe to do so as part of sweeping reforms set to be announced by Shabana Mahmood this week.
When compared to other European nations with stricter conditions, refugee status is often believed to be a lifetime in the UK and, as a result, the country developed a reputation for being a “soft touch” on migration.
But, with a new set of reforms on the horizon based on the Danish system, Labour has claimed what’s on offer for asylum seekers will be “far less generous” for asylum seekers and “stripped back to basic entitlements”.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Migration and Citizenship Mike Tapp sat down with Camilla to explain the thought behind Ms Mahmood’s asylum seeker plan overhaul.
“Now that’s because for many we were seen as a soft touch, and the smuggling gangsters often package to those migrants that are going to get better benefits here than you will in other places,” he said.
“But we are a soft touch,” Camilla responded.
“Not anymore,” Mr Tapp snapped back.
‘Not anymore!’ Migration minister endures grilling after insisting Labour has put an end to ‘soft touch Britain’ |
GB NEWS
Currently, refugees can apply for a fee free settlement without having made any contribution to the country after a mere five years on British soil.
But, under the new plans, the Home Office vowed “this will change” as refugee protection will be treated as a temporary allowance.
It will now be “regularly reviewed and revoked if their home country is safe to return to again”, the department said.
Stay for refugees will be cut from five years to 30 months while the wait for permanent settlement will be quadrupled from five years to 20.
MORE ON BRITAIN’S MIGRANT CRISIS:
For those wanting to settle sooner, the Home Office said it will “require people to work or study”.
“That’s a significant change, which means it’s less attractive to come here,” Mr Tapp insisted.
However, Camilla remained unconvinced, responding: “But this this plan isn’t going to do anything about the fact that people can come here illegally by dinghy and then get room and board at a three, four or five star hotel.”
