Shabana Mahmood announces UK will be opening ‘safe and legal’ routes for Afghan women fleeing persecution and ‘Palestinians who have fled the horrors of Gaza’

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced that UK will be opening “safe and legal” routes for refugees.

These refugees will include “Afghan women and girls fleeing persecution under the Taliban” and “Palestinians who have fled the horrors of Gaza”.

The home secretary said that the changes will show there is fairness in the immigration system to support the most vulnerable refugees and that a balanced system will “unlock the inherent generosity of this country”.

Mahmood has placed fairness at the heart of her immigration policies, and told the Labour conference: “Fairness is what unites us in this country. A fair society is what unlocks the very best of us. Because when people think this country is fair, they are more open and generous to others. When this country feels unfair, people turn inwards. They grow less willing to tolerate difference,” she will say.

“I know the British people have not given up on their belief that we should be compassionate, live up to our international obligations, and save the lives of those fleeing war and persecution. But I also know this process must be capped and controlled, and communities must be ready and able to welcome those who come here.

“This is what we can do and who we can be as we restore control to our borders, bear down on the small boat crossings, and unlock the inherent generosity of this country.”

Mahmood hopes that by reopening a scheme to resettle refugees in the UK, it will deter small boat crossings.

She is also set to water down her immigration crackdown following concerns raised by Cabinet colleague Angela Rayner.

Rayner said it was “un-British” to make it harder for immigrants to be given indefinite leave to remain in the UK, including some who have been here since 2021.

In her speech to the conference, Mahmood said she wanted to “restore control and fairness” to the immigration system.

“That same principle underpins my reforms to the right to live here indefinitely,” she said. “Ensuring settled status is earned by those who have shown a consistent commitment to this country.

“I know that, throughout our consultation process, some have said elements of these reforms are not fair.

“And to that, let me say this: we will come to a position that balances fairness for those who came here legally and fairness to British citizens across this country.”