The rollout of new safe and legal routes for refugees begins in the autumn, the Home Office has announced.
Applications for organisations to sponsor refugees open this autumn. The first arrivals are planned for autumn 2027. A refugee work route is expected to open next year.
Community sponsorship scheme
A new community sponsorship scheme will let communities sponsor refugees to resettle in their area. Sponsors take responsibility for housing, integration and work support. The model draws on Canada’s scheme, which has resettled almost 400,000 refugees since 1979. The Home Office will accredit lead sponsor organisations. All arrivals face biometric, criminality and health checks. Refugee status is determined with the UNHCR.
ECHR Article 8 changes
The Immigration and Asylum Bill will define family for Article 8 purposes as an immediate family member such as a parent, spouse or child under 18, except in exceptional circumstances. Entry clearance applications relying on Article 8 must be made in-country by the UK-based sponsor. A new test will state that deporting foreign national offenders is in the public interest and should be blocked only in the most exceptional circumstances.
Modern slavery reforms
The government will reform the modern slavery system to strengthen protection for those in genuine need while rooting out abuse.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said Britain has always offered sanctuary to those fleeing war and persecution, but the system survives only if the public trusts that it is fair, controlled and not open to abuse.