Green Party MP, Carla Denyer, has responded to changes to the UK’s asylum policy, that would see asylum seekers having to wait 20 years to apply to settle permanently, and be subjected to regular reviews every two-and-a-half years, meaning people could be returned to their home nation if it is deemed safe.

Denyer said:

“This is a new low from this government – plumbing the depths of performative cruelty, in hopes that the public won’t notice they have no answers to the real issues facing communities across this country.

“Confiscating the belongings of people fleeing war and violence, and trapping refugees in perpetual limbo, where even those who have been granted asylum would have the constant threat of deportation hanging over their heads, undermining integration and making it impossible to put down roots. These are extreme, inhumane proposals from a desperate and failing government.

“The only way to prevent people making dangerous crossings by small boats is to open safe and managed routes for people to claim asylum in the UK. There are hints Mahmood could introduce such schemes – a sensible government would focus on this workable policy rather than divisive gimmicks.”