Asylum reforms: What do we know so far?

Earlier this year Home Secretary Priti Patel vowed to tackle “illegal migration head-on” as she announced the “most significant overhaul of our asylum system in decades”.

The Government insists the plan will be “fair but firm” and will put those with a genuine need for refuge at the heart of proposals, as well as pledging to tackle people smugglers and remove people from the UK who have “no right” to be there.

The PA news agency takes a look at what we know so far about the plans.

 – What is happening?

The Conservative election manifesto promised to change the immigration system, with the Government for some time vowing to reform the asylum system, having described it as “broken” and “overwhelmed”.

Previously known as the Sovereign Borders Bill, it is part of a swathe of policies the Government is now planning to implement, focusing on how claims for asylum are processed and who could ultimately be granted protection and permission to remain in the UK.

– What are the key points of the plan?

Ms Patel has put forward three “fair but firm objectives”:

1. To support those in genuine need for asylum.

2. To deter “illegal” entry into the UK.

3. To remove more easily those with “no right” to be in the country.

– How will this work?

For the first time, whether someone enters the UK legally or illegally will have an impact on how their asylum claim progresses and on their status in the UK if that claim is successful, according to the Home Office.

The Government has insisted that safe and legal routes will still be made available to refugees, and those coming to the UK in this manner will be granted immediate indefinite leave to remain.

– What has been the response so far?

Ms Patel previously described the system as “open to gaming by economic migrants and exploitation by criminals”, saying this was “eroding public trust and disadvantaging vulnerable people who need our help”.

Some immigration experts have suggested the changes could “reduce” the amount of protection offered to “possibly the majority” of people who make asylum claims in the UK.

– What else is in the plans?

The proposals are wide-ranging and are also anticipated to include:

Efforts to speed up the removal of people whose claims are refused.

“Rigorous” age assessments to stop adult migrants pretending to be children.

Tougher laws against people who pretend to be victims of modern slavery.

Maximum life sentences for people smugglers.

Protection for vulnerable people in “immediate danger and at risk in their home country”.

The Government also wants to waive some rules so “Windrush victims are not prevented from qualifying for British citizenship because they were not able to return to the UK to meet the residence requirements through no fault of their own”.

There is still ambiguity over whether the measures will include options to create offshore processing centres for asylum seekers, as has previously been speculated.

– What happens now?

More details on the specifics of the Bill are expected to be published on Tuesday.

The proposals will then be debated in Parliament, in order to put the plans – and any amendments which may be made to it – into law.