In a bold move to demonstrate its commitment to border security and counter the growing influence of Nigel Farage, the Labour government is looking to Scandinavia for inspiration. Ministers are actively considering adopting Denmark's controversial 'zero refugees' immigration model, which has seen asylum acceptance rates plummet to historic lows.
The Danish Blueprint: How It Works
The Scandinavian nation operates one of Europe's most restrictive immigration systems, where approximately 95 per cent of asylum seekers are turned away. Under this framework, all migrants must maintain full-time employment to qualify for settlement in Denmark. Even the small minority who are accepted receive only temporary, revocable visas that can be withdrawn if their home country is later deemed safe enough for return.
The system extends beyond basic asylum claims to include stringent family reunification rules. Partners wishing to join spouses in Denmark must both be at least 24 years of age, a measure specifically designed to combat forced marriages. Additionally, both individuals must pass language tests, demonstrate three years of financial independence from benefits, and provide financial guarantees from the sponsoring partner.
Political Context and UK Application
Sir Keir Starmer has developed a close relationship with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, with both leaders cooperating on international issues including support for Ukraine. However, it's Ms Frederiksen's success in reducing successful asylum claims to a 40-year low while containing right-wing populist sentiment that particularly interests the Labour leadership.
The political urgency for action has intensified as Labour now trails Farage's party by an average of 10 percentage points in recent polls. The migration debate gained prominence over summer following widespread protests about hotel accommodations for asylum seekers.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is reportedly eager to meet her Danish counterpart Rasmus Stokland to explore how similar measures could be implemented in Britain. However, the initiative faces significant internal opposition from moderate Labour MPs who have described the Danish regime as 'hardcore', 'dangerous', and bordering on 'racist'.
Challenges and Parallel Policies
Adapting the Danish model to Britain presents several obstacles, including Britain's existing family connections with migrants and the widespread use of English. Meanwhile, Channel crossings continue to pressure the UK's immigration system, with 502 migrants arriving in seven small boats on Saturday November 9th alone. The year-to-date total has reached 38,726, including 1,772 crossings in the preceding three days.
Like the UK, Denmark previously explored sending asylum applicants to Rwanda for processing, though these plans have been on hold since 2021. The Scandinavian country has also implemented controversial demographic policies, including legislation passed in 2018 to transform what it termed 'ghettos' - areas where non-western migrants and their descendants constitute more than 50 per cent of the population.
The Home Office is conducting comprehensive analysis of Denmark's complete migration framework as Labour seeks to develop a robust response to one of the most contentious issues in British politics.
