‘Restoring control at borders not a betrayal of Labour values’, home secretary to say – as she sets out immigration shake-up
Home Secretary Defends Border Control as Alignment with Labour Principles
Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, will assert that reestablishing authority over the UK’s borders is consistent with Labour’s core values, not a contradiction, as she unveils expanded immigration reforms.
During a speech at the IPPR, a progressive think tank, Mahmood will argue that her party should not move further leftward following its recent loss in the Gorton and Denton by-election. She will emphasize the need for stability in migration policy to counteract growing public concern.
Sky News reports that nearly £400 million has been conserved through measures targeting asylum-related expenses, following efforts to curb tourist abuse of the immigration system. This financial impact underscores the effectiveness of stricter controls on cross-border movement.
“Restoring order and control at the border is not a departure from Labour values but a reflection of them, essential for any government to realize its ambitions,” Mahmood will state. “A loss of control breeds fear, and when fearful, people turn inward, narrowing their vision of this country.”
The proposed changes will require asylum recipients to have their refugee status reassessed every 30 months. Under existing rules, those granted refugee status retain it for five years before qualifying for indefinite leave to remain and eventual citizenship.
Additionally, asylum seekers who breach immigration laws or work without permits will be removed from government-funded housing and lose access to support payments. This shift marks a departure from the EU’s legal obligation to provide guaranteed assistance, replacing it with a conditional framework.
Highlighting Denmark’s approach, Mahmood will reference the Nordic nation’s social democratic policies, which have slashed asylum applications to a 40-year low and expelled 95% of rejected cases. She will praise this model, calling it a “compassionate yet controlled asylum system.”
Meanwhile, the Green Party’s open-border stance will be labeled a “fairytale” by the Home Secretary. She will critique leader Zack Polanski for advocating policies that, according to her, create incentives for illegal migration and place a heavy burden on taxpayers.
Financial savings from the new measures are estimated at over £370 million, attributed to a 93% drop in asylum claims from nationals of Jordan, Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago since the introduction of visit visas. Similar restrictions will now apply to citizens of Nicaragua and Saint Lucia.
Looking ahead, Mahmood will warn of the far right’s influence, stating: “When people witness the scale of migration today, they feel a loss of control. This breeds fear, which fuels ethno-nationalism and reshapes patriotism into something darker.”
Watch Trevor Phillips’ exclusive interview with Shabana Mahmood in a Politics Hub special airing at 7pm on Thursday 5 March across all Sky News platforms.
