The MP for Hull West and Haltemprice has written about the Home Secretary’s planned changes to the asylum system
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has this week announced significant reforms to the UK’s asylum system. The changes, which Ms Mahmood described as being “the most significant reform to our migration system in modern times”, were presented to Parliament on November 17.
Ms Mahmood told MPs the reforms “are designed to ensure our asylum system is fit for the modern world, and that we retain public consent for the very idea of providing refuge.” She added: “We must remove those who have failed asylum claims, regardless of who they are.” Following the Home Secretary’s speech in Parliament, the MP for Hull West and Haltemprice, the Labour Party’s Emma Hardy has responded to the announced changes. Her response is as follows:
Britain has always been a fair and tolerant country. That is not just a principle; it is something we have demonstrated time and again. We saw this most recently when war broke out in Ukraine, families across the UK, including many here in Hull West and Haltemprice, opened their homes to those fleeing conflict. That generosity reflects who we are at our best.
But the truth is, our asylum system isn’t working for anyone. In my work as an MP, I see the consequences of this every day: asylum seekers stuck in limbo, waiting over a year for decisions, all while residents feel the strain on housing and public services. This is neither fair nor sustainable.
This Government announcement marks the most radical shakeup to the asylum system in a generation. These reforms are designed to restore fairness, end chaos, and protect those in genuine need. They aim to reduce dangerous small boat crossings, close legal loopholes, and significantly increase removals of those who have no right to remain in the UK. At the same time, they strengthen our commitment to vulnerable groups by creating new safe and legal routes.
The scale of the challenge is clear. Since 2021, more than 400,000 people have claimed asylum in the UK, which is double the figure from a decade ago. While many whose claims have been accepted are working and contributing, others are claiming taxpayer-funded benefits. Rising arrivals, combined with years of slow removals, have put mounting pressure on public services and communities. That is why action is needed.
Since taking office, the Government has halved the asylum backlog and removed nearly 50,000 people with no right to remain, including over 5,000 foreign criminals. Now, the next phase of reform goes further.
It will accelerate asylum decisions so that genuine refugees receive certainty quickly, while those without a right to stay are removed swiftly. The list of safe return countries will be expanded, and the Government will explore third country returns to deter illegal entry. Legal loopholes that allow abuse of the courts will be closed, with legislation tightening the use of ECHR Article 8 and ending last-minute appeals that frustrate removals. Access to taxpayer-funded benefits will be restricted, and measures will tackle illegal work that draws people into the UK. Uncooperative countries that refuse to take back their own citizens will face new sanctions and visa restrictions.
Alongside these firm measures, the changes expand safe and legal routes, including community sponsorship and capped humanitarian programmes, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as children. They also create new opportunities for study and employment for those who come here legally and safely.
This is about balance. We must protect those fleeing genuine persecution while ensuring the system cannot be exploited. We must relieve pressure on communities while upholding our proud tradition of compassion. These reforms are tough where they need to be, but fair where it matters most – a system that works for everyone.
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