Sudanese asylum seekers challenge Home Office rule changes for refugees

Mahmood has accused even ‘genuine refugees’ of ‘shopping’ their way across the continent searching for the most attractive place to live. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Two Sudanese asylum seekers are challenging a central element of Labour’s plans to strip refugees of basic rights, rejecting the home secretary’s accusation that they are “asylum shoppers”.

Shabana Mahmood has announced plans to halve refugees’ leave to remain in the UK, from five years to 30 months. Previously, people could apply for permanent settlement after five years but now refugees will have to wait 20 years before being eligible.