Home Secretary Expected to Announce New Denmark-Esque Immigration Reforms Next Week

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is preparing to announce further reforms to the UK’s Immigration and asylum system next week. The announcements are expected to push the UK’s immigration policy closer to Denmark’s tougher immigration model.

Some in her own party have warned against Danish-inspired immigration policy, believing the policies to be founded in the far-right. Mahmood, however, is undeterred, saying she will do “whatever it takes” to gain control of the UK’s immigration and asylum system. She is expected to unveil a plan for “less in, more out” in what she promises will be the biggest illegal immigration reform in “modern times”.

Reports indicate that Home Office officials have been examining Denmark’s immigration policy. While it was reported last month that the Labour government aims to operate within the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR), stricter policies are still expected in November. They are expected to be inspired by Denmark who also remain in the ECHR, and it is thought that the UK is considering further policies to:

• Limit family reunions with tougher financial, age and integration requirements
• Grant only temporary residence to most refugees with regular reviews
• Discourage irregular migration
• Process asylum claims offshore
• Focus on the fast removal of illegal entrants and rejected asylum seekers

How the UK May Be Inspired by Denmark’s Immigration Policy

The general policy direction and the tightening of the application of the law in HC 1333 and other immigration policies outlined in the UK in 2025 have already shown signs of a more restrictive approach to immigration. It is said to be inspired by a restrictive approach in effect in Denmark. Some changes and announcements made in 2025 so far show the UK intends to:

Shift to a contribution-based settlement model. The UK is moving to emulate aspects of Denmark’s self-sufficiency model with an emphasis on active participation in British society. Standard continuous residency will increase from 5 to 10 years, but consider earlier settlement for positive contributions. 

Limit family reunions with tougher frameworks for reunifications. Language tests and financial requirements have been toughened. The Family Reunification route was already closed earlier in the year to asylum seekers bringing family, who must now meet the more stringent requirements of Appendix FM, including a £29,000 minimum income requirement. Further changes could happen to limit family reunions.

Grant temporary protections to refugees and not indefinite stays. This is a policy the UK has already enforced for refugees who came illegally via dangerous means. Those illegal immigrants who came via small boats or on the back of lorries for example, may never qualify for citizenship and can only be granted Temporary Protected Status. It remains to be seen if this policy will be more broadly introduced.