The United Kingdom is exploring significant changes to its immigration policies, potentially mirroring Denmark’s stringent approach as public pressure mounts. Recent YouGov polling shows that at least 70 percent of Britons think that the levels of immigration over the past ten years have been too high. This sentiment has only intensified, urging the new government to roll out a mandatory digital ID system. This is intended to deliver better management of immigration while increasing public confidence.
The UK immigration system as it stands still permits people to seek asylum. They need to show that they are in danger in their countries of origin. Refugees are usually given five years’ leave to remain in the UK. Only after that time can they apply for permanent legal settlement. Even these meager rules have been criticized, with coordinated campaigns from far-right groups pushing for harsher restrictions on abortion access.
From January through July of this year, more than 25,000 people made the dangerous journey across the English Channel into the UK. This dramatic uptick has fueled fears of increasing immigration. The incoming Labour government—expected to be headed by new Prime Minister Keir Starmer—is already on the hot seat. Public opinion and political rivals alike have forced their hand.
The Call for Change
The existing immigration system does not have an upper age limit for sponsorship partners. People have to be able to bring in at least £29,000 (about $38,161) annually. Before September 2023, spouses, partners, and dependants under 18 could join their family members in the UK without meeting strict income and English-language tests required of other migrants. This leniency has been put under the microscope with increased public outcry.
Asylum seekers in the UK are often excluded from mainstream welfare and receive a minimal weekly allowance, raising questions about the adequacy of support for those in need. Critics claim these provisions are inadequate. Most importantly, their testimonies highlight the struggles refugees must overcome in order to be accepted members of British society.
“Division and hate are on the rise.” – Lucy Powell
Opposing parties, particularly Labour, are waking up to this new political reality. The far-right Reform UK party has gained popularity among voters frustrated with Labour’s handling of immigration issues. And Nigel Farage, the leader of new anti-immigration party Reform UK, has previously attacked Labour for being “soft on immigration.” His comments increased the urgency for the government to introduce tougher measures.
Denmark’s Model as a Template
Now the UK government is considering changing its immigration rules in a similar, radical and detrimental vein to that pursued by Denmark. Christian Albrekt Larsen explains that Denmark’s effectiveness lies partly in being perceived as less attractive than neighboring countries like Germany, Sweden, and Norway. This belief can deter would-be migrants from even attempting to reach Denmark. It’s a great model for some of the changes the UK is now proposing.
Clive Lewis, a Labour MP, notes that “Denmark’s Social Democrats have gone down what I would call a hardcore approach to immigration.” He warns that adopting similar policies could result in the UK adopting “many of the talking points of what we would call the far right.” These observations amplify one of the most important and contentious debates taking place within British politics—the morality and ethics of ever harsher immigration controls.
“They’ve adopted many of the talking points of what we would call the far right.” – Clive Lewis
Nadia Whittome, another Labour MP, further criticizes the potential shift towards these tougher policies, stating that it represents “a dead end – morally, politically and electorally.” Whittome urges caution, asserting that “I don’t think anyone wants to see a Labour government flirting with them,” referring to far-right ideologies.
Political Ramifications
The incoming Labour government is at an unprecedented crossroads as it confronts intensifying public backlash against immigration. The ongoing legal challenges surrounding deportation policies to Rwanda—established under the previous Conservative government—add another layer of complexity to the issue. While the policy is still in the proposal stage and has not actually come to pass, its introduction speaks volumes to the fraught state of Britain’s immigration conversation.
European countries exhibit significant variation in how they manage immigration, with Germany and Spain recording over 1.2 million immigrants each in 2023 alone. The very different approaches countries have taken so far can help guide Britain as it decides which way to jump.
As public sentiment continues to sway towards more restrictive measures, Labour’s commitment to progressive immigration policies is increasingly under scrutiny. The party faces an uphill battle to balance its traditional stance with growing calls for reform from constituents who feel overwhelmed by immigration levels.
