LONDON, United Kingdom – A sweeping overhaul of the United Kingdom's asylum system, championed by the Labour government, has triggered significant internal party dissent and a diplomatic rebuke from Albania. Health Secretary Wes Streeting admitted on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, that he was not “comfortable” with aspects of the new policy, particularly the forced deportation of families, but insisted it was “the right thing to do for the country.” The admission, made in an interview with LBC radio at approximately 10:00 AM EAT, highlights the deep divisions emerging within the ruling party over the hardline stance on immigration.

The new framework, detailed in a 33-page policy document released by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood on Monday, 17 November 2025, marks one of the most significant changes to British asylum law in decades. It aims to deter irregular migration by adopting a model similar to Denmark's restrictive system. Key provisions include making refugee status temporary and subject to review every 30 months, extending the wait for permanent settlement from five to 20 years, and granting authorities powers to seize assets, including jewellery, from asylum seekers to cover accommodation costs.

Mr. Streeting defended the measures, suggesting financial incentives for voluntary returns would keep forced removals low. However, his comments have done little to quell a growing rebellion, with reports of at least two dozen Labour MPs raising alarms over the forcible removal of families who decline cash incentives to leave the UK.

International Condemnation and Diplomatic Fallout

The policy has also provoked a sharp international reaction. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama fiercely criticised the new rules on Wednesday, accusing Home Secretary Mahmood of “ethnic stereotyping” and “indecent demagoguery.” His comments came after Ms. Mahmood specifically singled out 700 Albanian families with failed asylum claims living in taxpayer-funded housing as a justification for resuming family removals.

In a post on the social media platform X, Mr. Rama questioned how a Labour politician could “so poorly echo the rhetoric of the populist far-right.” He argued that the UK and Albania have a successful partnership on illegal migration that has seen irregular arrivals from Albania nearly disappear since late 2022. This is not the first time Mr. Rama has clashed with UK officials over immigration rhetoric; in November 2022, he accused then-Home Secretary Suella Braverman of “fuelling xenophobia” for her comments about Albanian migrants.

The 'Danish Model' and Its Implications

The UK's new asylum framework is explicitly modelled on Denmark's system, which is designed to make the country a less attractive destination for asylum seekers. The Danish approach combines temporary protection status with strict criteria for family reunification and settlement. This model has been credited with reducing asylum claims in Denmark to a 40-year low but has also faced criticism from human rights organisations for being discriminatory and violating international conventions.

Critics, including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, have condemned the policy allowing the seizure of belongings from those fleeing persecution. Human rights groups have warned that such policies do not deter desperate people but rather fuel racism and create a climate of uncertainty that hinders integration.

Impact on Kenya and East Africa

While the UK government states the new rules are not aimed at any specific country, the tightening of immigration routes will inevitably affect potential migrants and asylum seekers from Kenya and the wider East Africa region. Previous changes to UK immigration rules, such as increased income thresholds for family visas and the proposed termination of the care worker visa—a route used by many Kenyans—have already created significant barriers.

The shift towards temporary protection status creates profound uncertainty for refugees, including those from conflict-ridden areas in East Africa like Sudan and Eritrea, who have historically had high protection grant rates in the UK. This could increase the burden on frontline host countries like Kenya, which already manages one of the largest refugee populations in the world. The UK's move signals a broader, more hostile environment for asylum seekers globally, aligning with a growing trend across Europe to tighten borders and curtail refugee rights. Further investigation is required to determine the precise number of Kenyan nationals who may be affected by the review of existing asylum claims.