UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has called for a major expansion of safe and legal routes for refugees to enter Britain, contingent on first dismantling illegal migration networks and restoring public confidence in the asylum system. Speaking on the Matt Forde podcast, Mahmood stated the government aims to 'go much bigger' on legal pathways, including capped schemes for refugee students, skilled workers, and community-sponsored arrivals modeled on the Homes for Ukraine programme.

The proposals have triggered a political backlash, with Reform UK leader Suella Braverman opposing any broad expansion, saying the UK must 'put British people first' and cannot 'simply open our doors' to global vulnerable populations. Within Labour, over 100 MPs have reportedly signed a letter urging caution on migration reforms, while former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner previously criticized the plans as 'un-British'.

Mahmood's plan includes doubling the time required for migrant workers to gain indefinite leave to remain from five to ten years and extending the refugee settlement pathway to up to 20 years, alongside restrictions on automatic family reunification. Fewer than 1,000 refugees arrived through formal safe routes in the UK in the year to September 2025, excluding Ukraine and Hong Kong schemes.

Downing Street is considering transitional arrangements to mitigate the impact of the proposed changes. The Home Office has not announced a timeline for implementation, but officials say the reforms will be introduced in phases as the asylum system undergoes broader restructuring.