UK Immigration Overhaul: Labour Emulates Stringent Danish System

London/Copenhagen: UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to announce a shake-up of Britain’s immigration rules, drawing inspiration from the Danish system, which is widely considered among the most stringent in Europe. This move comes as the Labour government faces pressure to adopt tougher border control and asylum policies.  

Last month, Home Office officials were dispatched to Denmark to study its policies, focusing on tighter rules for family reunions and restricting some refugees to temporary stays. The proposals are expected to be announced later this month.  

Key Aspects of the Danish Model Being Studied:

• Temporary Protection: In Denmark, refugees fleeing generalized conflicts are typically granted only a temporary residence permit.  
• Safe Country Decisions: Denmark asserts the right to judge a region as safe for return, breaking with the UN and EU in some cases. For instance, in 2022, the Danish government notified approximately 1,200 refugees from Damascus in Syria that their residency permits would not be renewed.  
• Stringent Family Reunion Rules: For a refugee granted residency to bring a partner to Denmark, several thresholds must be met:
  • Both partners must be age 24 and above.  
  • The partner in Denmark must not have claimed benefits for three years and must put up a financial guarantee.
  • Both partners must pass a Danish language test.  
• “Parallel Societies” Ban: Denmark bars those living in housing estates designated as “parallel societies”—where more than 50% of residents are from what it terms “non-western” backgrounds—from being granted family reunion.  
• Offshore Asylum Processing: In 2021, Denmark passed a law allowing it to process asylum seekers outside Europe, a move that drew anger from human rights advocates.  

Political Backlash

The proposals have triggered internal divisions within the Labour Party. Some Labour MPs, particularly from the left, have expressed deep criticism.  

Clive Lewis MP criticized the move as a “hardcore approach,” arguing that Denmark’s Social Democrats have “adopted many of the talking points of what we would call the far right.”  

Nadia Whittome MP called the adoption a “dangerous path” and labeled some Danish policies, particularly those around “parallel societies,” as “undeniably racist.” However, other Labour MPs are reportedly urging the government to adopt even tougher measures, seeking to address voters who might otherwise lean towards Reform UK.