The United Kingdom has announced a major overhaul of its asylum policy, deciding to grant temporary rather than permanent status to refugees. This significant shift is expected to introduce long-term uncertainty into the lives of thousands of individuals seeking sanctuary within the country.
The British Home Office stated that the protection offered to refugees will now be provisional and subjected to regular reviews. This change is intended to tighten the criteria and conditions for claiming asylum in the UK.
According to the Home Office, protection will be officially revoked for refugees whose country of origin is formally deemed safe for their return, potentially initiating repatriation proceedings.
Furthermore, the policy includes a stringent measure regarding legal assistance. The Home Office will cancel legal services for certain asylum seekers who are assessed as being physically able to work but choose not to seek employment, further stiffening the conditions under which asylum support is provided.
