Andy Burnham has expressed concerns over potential consequences of the government’s proposed changes to the asylum seeker system, warning that it could leave individuals in a state of uncertainty and hinder their integration.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester acknowledged Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s initiative to overhaul the system but raised apprehensions about the plan to extend the waiting period for asylum seekers to settle permanently from five to 20 years. Additionally, individuals granted refugee status would now undergo status reviews every two-and-a-half years, possibly resulting in their removal if their home country is considered safe.
In response to questions about the prolonged period before refugees can attain permanent status, Burnham supported the need for systemic reform by Mahmood but emphasized the importance of ensuring individuals do not remain in a state of uncertainty, which could impede their integration efforts. He stressed the necessity for a thoughtful discussion following the proposed measures announced by the Home Secretary.
These remarks came as Home Secretary Mahmood defended the reforms presented in Parliament, despite facing criticism from certain Labour MPs. The Labour peer Lord Alf Dubs also voiced opposition to the deportation of families, including children, who have been denied asylum, labeling the approach as using children as a “weapon.”
In her defense, Mahmood denied using children as leverage, clarifying that the policy targets failed asylum seekers rather than refugees. She highlighted that individuals who exhaust all legal avenues and are not granted refugee status are the focus of the deportation measures, emphasizing that those with refugee status are not targeted for removal to safe countries.
Furthermore, Mahmood proposed the possibility of increasing payments to rejected asylum seekers to encourage voluntary departure from the UK, citing it as a cost-effective approach for taxpayers.