Shabana Mahmood to reopen scheme to resettle refugees in the UK

Shabana Mahmood has revealed plans to relaunch a UK scheme aimed at resettling refugees, with the intention that providing “safe and legal” pathways will reduce the number of people crossing the Channel illegally in small boats. Mahmood emphasized that while the UK is committed to meeting its international responsibilities by aiding those escaping conflict and persecution, the scheme must remain “capped and controlled” to maintain order and balance.

The Home Office confirmed that the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) will reopen immediately, with an expectation that approximately 25% of new arrivals will be Afghan women and girls, as well as Palestinians. This reopening follows a pause on new applications that began in December 2024. Additionally, three new sponsorship routes will be introduced next year, allowing communities, universities, and businesses across the country to host refugees. The government anticipates that refugee arrivals could increase to the “low thousands” annually, aligning with a planned reduction in illegal migration. Although a yearly cap will be established, the exact figures have yet to be announced.

Mahmood outlined her strategy at the Labour Party conference, stressing the need for fairness and readiness among communities to welcome new arrivals. She stated, “That is what we can do, this is who we can be, as we restore control to our borders, bear down on small boat crossings and unlock the inherent generosity of this country.” However, her approach has faced criticism, particularly from Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp, who accused her of making a “desperate attempt to appease” critics within her own party. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also expressed opposition, asserting that the UK is “not obligated to take in more migrants” and challenging the Labour Party to seek a public mandate via a general election for its policies.

Refugee advocates have welcomed the government’s renewed commitment but argue that further expansion is needed. Jon Featonby, chief policy analyst at the Refugee Council, remarked that safe and legal routes are crucial for undermining human traffickers, but only if these routes operate at scale. He urged the government to demonstrate greater ambition by offering thousands—not just hundreds—of resettlement places, and called for the swift reopening of refugee family reunion programmes, which have been paused since September 2025.

Historically, the UK has operated several safe and legal refugee programmes, including responses to crises in Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Hong Kong. Over 39,000 people arrived under the Afghan Resettlement Programme before these schemes were closed to new applicants in mid-2025. Since its establishment in 2021, the UKRS has supported the resettlement of 4,589 refugees. Flora Alexander, executive director of the International Rescue Committee UK, applauded the decision to prioritize Afghan women, girls, and Palestinians under the UKRS, describing it as a “well-established safe route” that helps people rebuild their lives in the UK, though she cautioned that it must be expanded substantially to have a meaningful impact.

Meanwhile, internal political tensions persist. Conservatives argue against expanding refugee intake until illegal migration is near zero, with Philp suggesting Mahmood is yielding to pressure from the Labour left. On the Labour side, housing secretary Angela Rayner criticized Mahmood’s proposed extensions to the residency qualification period for migrant workers, calling attention to the potential 10 to 20 years required for permanent residence under new rules—a significant shift from the current five-year pathway. Rayner voiced concerns about changing the criteria for those who arrived earlier this decade expecting to qualify under existing regulations. Settlement, or indefinite leave to remain, allows individuals to reside, work, study, and access benefits indefinitely in the UK

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