The UK government has recently announced major changes to its asylum system. The reforms announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood aim to reduce illegal migration, speed up removals, and make refugee protection more temporary. The Chester City of Sanctuary Group , a local group of volunteers (founded 2009) who promote a culture of welcome and hospitality for those seeking sanctuary from persecution and war, have issued a statement in opposition of the changes. Cheshire West and Chester was recognised as a Council of Sanctuary in 2025.

Chester City of Sanctuary statement :

“As a group of local people who offer a welcome to those fleeing from war and persecution we are deeply concerned that the Home Secretary has announced one of the most significant changes to the UK’s asylum system for a generation without a parliamentary vote.

“From now on all successful asylum seekers given refugee status in the UK will only be offered temporary protection. Under the new rules, asylum seekers’ cases will be reviewed every 30 months, after which they and their children could be sent to their country of origin if it is deemed safe to do so.

“We know from our experience that refugee families who have survived war, persecution and unimaginable danger will face renewed uncertainty every 30 months, preventing them from putting down roots, settling into our local community, learning English and finding work. This will damage integration in the long term.

“We are also concerned that the estimated 1.1m interviews needed to individually review the status of refugees – who are successful, not failed, asylum seekers will not only result in greater uncertainty for individuals but also that this new workload for the Home Office will cost taxpayers up to £725m in additional costs.

“The Home Office also plans to establish a so-called “earned settlement” scheme that will penalise individuals and their families based on their circumstances and the changing economic conditions which we all face. These further plans include doubling the time it takes most migrants to gain permanent residency rights in the UK from five to 10 years. In the case of refugees it could take 20 years, with the threat of deportation ever present.

“This is contrary to our understanding of the equal value and dignity of every human being and ignores the particular responsibility that, in our view, government has to support those who are most vulnerable and marginalised.

“We are particularly concerned that the retrospective application of these proposed new policies would be unfair to those who have already begun to make their lives in our community on the basis of the current immigration rules, and made decisions and plans based upon an expectation of being able to follow a pathway to settled status and citizenship.

“We urge the government to reconsider these proposals and listen to those local people who can provide evidence that enabling shorter, less complex paths to settlement deliver benefits not only for the individual but also to our local community”

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