Government announces major reforms to restore control of asylum and immigration system

9 July 2026

New measures to speed up removals, tackle illegal migration and reduce pressure on communities

The government has announced a package of major reforms to restore order and control to the UK’s immigration and asylum system, including new legislation to speed up appeals and removals, expand enforcement capacity, tackle illegal working and reduce reliance on asylum hotels.

The Immigration and Asylum Bill, introduced to Parliament on 30 June 2026, sets out the most significant changes to the asylum system in a generation. The reforms are designed to provide protection for those genuinely in need while reducing the incentives behind dangerous and illegal journeys to the UK.

The government has also confirmed further action to strengthen enforcement, with nearly 70,000 illegal migrants and foreign criminals already returned from the UK – an increase of 41% compared with the previous 21-month period. This includes 10,000 foreign national offenders, representing a 36% increase.

The Home Secretary will double the Immigration Enforcement budget by 2028 to 2029 and increase workforce numbers by 60% from 2024 levels in 2026 to 2027. This will support tens of thousands more enforcement operations, including raids, arrests and deportations of people with no right to remain in the UK.

Faster asylum decisions and new refugee protection rules

Asylum decisions are now being made at four times the rate seen under the previous government. As a result, the number of people waiting for an initial decision has fallen by 72% since June 2023, when the backlog stood at 175,000 cases, and is now 55% lower than a year ago.

The government has also introduced reforms to the refugee protection system, The changes mean refugee protection for adults claiming asylum will be granted on a temporary basis rather than as permanent status.

Protection will be reviewed every 30 months.

Reducing asylum hotel use and supporting communities

The government is continuing its programme to close asylum hotels and move towards larger, more basic and more suitable accommodation.

Twenty further asylum hotels will close across the country, following the closure of 11 hotels in April. At its peak under the previous government, hotel accommodation cost taxpayers £9 million a day.

Plans are also progressing to use former Ministry of Defence sites for asylum accommodation.

New action to tackle illegal working

From 1 October 2026, employers operating in flexible and gig economy sectors, including food delivery and construction, will face stronger enforcement action if they employ people without the legal right to work in the UK.

Employers who fail to carry out required right to work checks could face:

• fines of up to £60,000 per worker;
• director disqualification;
• potential prison sentences of up to five years.

The government says these measures will close loopholes and reduce incentives for people to enter the UK illegally or work without permission.

Expansion of immigration detention capacity

The government is expanding Immigration Removal Centre capacity to support the removal of foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers.

The expansion of Haslar and Campsfield Immigration Removal Centres will increase UK detention capacity by 40%, with combined capacity at the two centres rising from 290 to 1,000 beds.

The government says this will support thousands more removals over the coming decade.

Government: firm but fair approach

The government says the reforms represent a balanced approach: maintaining protection for those who genuinely need sanctuary while ensuring the immigration system is controlled, fair and sustainable.

The package combines faster decision-making, stronger enforcement, action against illegal working and reforms to accommodation and appeals processes to reduce pressure on taxpayers and communities.

 

source:  mmc-uk