"When Shabana Mahmood joins us on the show on Sunday she'll demonstrate why No 10 picked her for the post of home secretary - the expectation she'd take a tougher line than her predecessor on immigration and that, as her backers want her to be seen, she is a "woman in a hurry". Her plans have already been met with dismay by refugee groups, and taking support away from asylum seekers is not exactly comfortable territory for many in the Labour Party."
"But having studied the way other countries like Denmark have grappled with asylum and immigration, she'll set out an extensive list of changes she wants to make - including making refugee status temporary, so those granted safety in the UK could be sent back to their home country when circumstances improve. And there's likely to be a much less generous system of support for asylum seekers while they are here."
"The claim from the Home Office is it's the most sweeping set of reforms since the war, accompanied by Mahmood's warning to her party - "if you don't like this, you won't like what follows me." In other words, if Labour doesn't toughen up the system, and cut the number of small boat crossings and levels of illegal immigration, then a Reform UK government could be along next time round who might be much more radical."
Frustration and disbelief pervade parts of government and senior Labour figures express strong irritation. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is preparing major proposals to tackle illegal immigration, including making refugee status temporary and reducing asylum seeker support. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is finalising a heavy Budget. The Home Office describes Mahmood's package as the most sweeping reforms since the war. Refugee groups have reacted with dismay and some Labour MPs feel uneasy about the direction. Mahmood warned her party that failure to toughen immigration policy could lead to a more radical Reform UK government if small boat crossings and illegal immigration are not cut.
Read at www.bbc.com
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