The British government is preparing to unveil significant changes to the country's immigration framework, drawing inspiration from Denmark's controversial approach that ranks among Europe's most restrictive systems.
Why Britain Wants Immigration Reform
Public anxiety about immigration has grown substantially over the past five years, partly driven by increasing numbers of migrants arriving via small boat crossings. A recent YouGov poll revealed that voters now consider migration a more pressing concern than the state of the economy.
The Labour administration faces additional pressure from Nigel Farage's Reform party, which currently leads in polls and promises radical immigration changes if elected. Reform's proposals include eliminating migrants' rights to permanent settlement after five years in the UK.
Understanding Denmark's Strict Asylum Model
Denmark's system has reached a 40-year low in asylum approvals when excluding 2020 pandemic data. The Scandinavian nation typically offers only temporary protection to individuals targeted by foreign regimes, reserving the right to return asylum seekers when their home countries are deemed safe.
In 2022, this policy affected approximately 1,200 refugees from Damascus, Syria, whom the Danish government decided to repatriate despite objections from the UN and EU about safety conditions in the region.
Family Reunion Rules and Controversial Measures
Denmark permits family reunification under exceptionally strict conditions. Refugees must demonstrate they cannot safely live with partners or children elsewhere and meet multiple criteria including both partners being at least 24 years old, passing Danish language tests, and the refugee in Denmark having no benefit claims for three years while providing financial guarantees.
The system has drawn criticism for potentially discriminatory elements. Refugees living in areas classified as "parallel societies" - where over half the residents have non-Western backgrounds - become ineligible for family reunion. The government also holds powers to demolish apartment blocks in these areas, raising concerns from EU officials about discrimination despite integration claims.
Political Divisions Within Labour
Although Denmark's policies were developed by the centre-left Social Democrats and are considered crucial to their electoral success, they face strong opposition from Labour's left wing. Clive Lewis, MP for Norwich South, accused the Danish party of adopting far-right talking points, while Nadia Whittome, MP for Nottingham East, described copying the system as morally and politically misguided.
However, some Labour MPs representing constituencies with strong Reform support welcome the potential shift. Jo White, MP for Bassetlaw and chair of the Red Wall Caucus, warned that Labour faces electoral annihilation without tighter immigration rules. Gareth Snell, MP for Stoke-on-Trent, called the plans worth exploring, noting his constituents view the current system as fundamentally unfair.
