Since July 13, various cities in Britain have been gripped by anti-immigration protests, particularly near hotels housing asylum seekers.
In this tense climate, the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has appeared before Parliament with a new package of measures aimed at strengthening control over immigration and asylum.
One of the main changes she introduced concerns refugee family reunification. Under the new rules, those seeking to bring their family members to the UK will have to meet stricter conditions: have sufficient income, speak English and have lived in the country for a minimum period. Cooper said the aim of these measures is to strike a balance between humanity and the state's ability to manage integration.
Another point that was announced was the government's decision to close all hotels currently used to house asylum seekers by 2029. Cooper added that if the necessary infrastructure is provided, this process could be accelerated.
In the face of growing voices talking about a possible British withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights, the Home Secretary made it clear: “We remain committed to our international commitments, they are essential to our security and legitimacy.”
This new package comes as an attempt to calm public opinion, but it will likely spark even greater debate in the coming weeks.
