The home secretary has been urged not to “play into the hands of those seeking to build division” by more than 200 community groups across the UK who have described Shabana Mahmood’s plans to overhaul the asylum system as “cruel” and “ruthless”.
Last month Mahmood announced policies intended to tackle bogus asylum claims and reduce the numbers of people trying to cross the Channel in small boats, including the end of permanent protection for refugees, the escalated removal of families with children whose claims have been refused, and scrapping the legal requirement to support destitute asylum seekers.
