UK seeks inspiration from Denmark to shake up immigration system – BBC

Report on Proposed UK Immigration and Asylum System Reforms and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Policy Review and International Benchmarking

The United Kingdom’s Home Secretary is preparing to announce significant reforms to the nation’s immigration and asylum system. The proposed measures are reportedly benchmarked against the Danish model, which is recognised for its restrictive stance. The core objectives of this policy shift are to reduce incentives for migration to the UK and improve the efficiency of expelling individuals without a legal right to remain. These objectives have direct implications for several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), by reshaping national policies on migration and the governance of legal frameworks.

Analysis of the Danish Immigration Model and its Relation to SDGs

UK officials have been dispatched to study the Danish system, which has successfully lowered asylum claims. The analysis focuses on several key policy areas and their impact on sustainable development.

1. Temporary Protection Status: The majority of individuals granted asylum in Denmark receive only temporary protection. This status is contingent upon the perceived safety of their country of origin, enabling their return when conditions improve. This policy affects long-term integration and social stability, which are central to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Furthermore, extending the time and adding conditions like full-time employment for settlement rights links the policy to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
2. Family Reunion Regulations: Denmark’s rules for family reunion are notably stringent and are of interest to UK policymakers. These regulations impact social cohesion and equality.
   • An age requirement of 24 years or older for both partners is enforced, a measure stated to prevent forced marriages, relating to SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
   • Financial guarantees, a history of not claiming benefits, and language proficiency tests are required, creating barriers that intersect with SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
   • Eligibility for family reunion is denied to refugees residing in housing estates designated as “parallel societies.” This policy, aimed at improving integration, has faced criticism for being discriminatory and directly engages with the targets of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
3. Incentivised Voluntary Return: The Danish government offers substantial financial incentives for asylum seekers to return to their countries of origin, including contributions to children’s education. This approach aligns with principles of voluntary and safe return and touches upon SDG 4 (Quality Education).
4. Strengthening Institutional Justice: Danish law facilitates the easier expulsion of non-citizens who commit crimes. This measure is intended to strengthen the rule of law and public safety, contributing to the objectives of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Implications for UK Policy and International Cooperation

The examination of the Danish model is expected to inform forthcoming UK policy, particularly concerning family reunion and the overall legal framework for asylum.

• The UK’s recent suspension of the Refugee Family Reunion scheme suggests that new, more restrictive rules are being drafted. Such changes will have a significant impact on family unity and the ability of communities to integrate, affecting progress towards SDG 10 and SDG 11.
• There is a shared interest between the UK and Danish governments in exploring reforms to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to streamline the expulsion of foreign criminals. This potential collaboration represents an international partnership aimed at strengthening national institutions, which is relevant to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and SDG 16.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Political Considerations

The proposal to adopt Danish-style policies has generated a diverse range of political and social reactions within the UK, reflecting different interpretations of how to achieve sustainable and equitable societal goals.

• Proponents’ View: Some government ministers and MPs argue that a stricter immigration policy is a prerequisite for pursuing other progressive goals, such as a green transition (SDG 13: Climate Action) and maintaining a robust social security system (SDG 1, SDG 8). They also contend that such reforms are necessary to restore public trust in the immigration system, a key component of SDG 16.
• Opponents’ View: Critics, particularly from the left wing of the Labour party, express significant concerns.
  1. They argue that adopting these policies would be a “dangerous path” that mirrors far-right rhetoric, thereby undermining the commitment to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
  2. Specific policies, such as those concerning “parallel societies,” are described as “undeniably racist” and in direct conflict with the principles of inclusion central to SDG 10 and SDG 11.
  3. The moral and political costs of such a policy shift are seen as outweighing the potential electoral gains.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article discusses issues related to immigration, asylum policies, social integration, and human rights, which connect to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary SDGs addressed are:

   • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

     The article’s core theme is the management of migration and the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers. It explores policies that differentiate between groups, such as Denmark’s rules for family reunions and the designation of “parallel societies” based on the residents’ ethnic backgrounds. A senior adviser to the EU’s top court described this law as “discriminatory on the basis of ethnic origin,” directly engaging with the goal of reducing inequality.

   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

     The article focuses on the UK Home Office’s plan to reform its “immigration and asylum system” to make it more effective and regain control of borders. This relates to building effective, accountable, and transparent institutions. The discussion also touches upon the rule of law, specifically the debate in both the UK and Denmark on whether the “European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) makes the expulsion of foreign criminals more difficult.”

   • SDG 5: Gender Equality

     The article mentions a specific Danish policy aimed at protecting individuals, particularly women, from harmful practices. Denmark’s rule that for family reunions, “both you and your partner who is applying to join you in the country must be 24 or older” is explicitly justified by the Danish government as a measure “to guard against forced marriages.”

   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

     The article links long-term settlement for refugees to their economic participation. In Denmark, conditions for acquiring settlement rights have been tightened, with one key requirement “being in full-time employment.” This connects the integration of refugees directly to their role in the workforce.

   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

     The Danish policy on “parallel societies” directly addresses community and housing issues. The law allows the state to “sell off or demolish those apartment blocks” where over 50% of residents are from “non-Western” backgrounds. This policy, aimed at “improving integration,” directly impacts housing and the social fabric of communities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the article’s discussion of immigration policies and their social and legal implications, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

   • Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.

     The entire article is about the UK government’s attempt to create a “well-managed migration policy” by learning from Denmark’s system. The goal is to “reduce incentives that draw people to the UK” and manage the flow of migrants, as evidenced by the mention of “1,269 migrants crossed the English Channel in small boats.”

   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

     The UK Home Secretary’s plan for a “major shake-up of the immigration and asylum system” is a direct effort to develop a more effective institution. The article highlights Denmark’s success in driving down asylum claims as a model of effectiveness that the UK Home Office is studying.

   • Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.

     This target is directly addressed by the Danish family reunion policy. The article states, “The Danish government says this is to guard against forced marriages,” referring to the requirement that partners must be 24 or older to be eligible for family reunion.

   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men…

     The article connects settlement rights for refugees in Denmark to employment status. It notes that among the conditions added to acquire settlement rights is “being in full-time employment,” linking long-term residency to economic contribution and productive employment.

   • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing…

     The Danish law concerning “parallel societies” directly impacts this target. The policy, which “allows the state to sell off or demolish those apartment blocks,” affects the housing security and adequacy for residents of these designated areas, raising questions about access to adequate housing for all.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article mentions or implies several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

   • Indicators for Target 10.7:

     The article provides direct quantitative indicators of migration flows and policy outcomes. These include the “number of successful asylum claims,” which in Denmark have been driven to a “40-year low,” and the “number of migrants crossing the English Channel,” with the article citing “a further 1,269 migrants” over two days.

   • Indicators for Target 16.6:

     The effectiveness of the asylum system is measured by the ability to “expel those with no right to be in the country” and “return more people back home.” An implied indicator is the number or rate of deportations and voluntary returns of individuals whose asylum claims have been rejected or whose temporary status has expired.

   • Indicators for Target 5.3:

     While the article does not provide data, the Danish policy itself implies an indicator: the incidence or rate of forced marriages within refugee and migrant communities. The age requirement of 24 is a policy measure intended to reduce this rate.

   • Indicators for Target 8.5:

     The article implies an indicator used by the Danish government to grant settlement: the employment rate of refugees. Specifically, it mentions the condition of “being in full-time employment” as a prerequisite for settlement rights.

   • Indicators for Target 11.1:

     A specific indicator is explicitly mentioned for identifying “parallel societies”: the percentage of residents from “non-Western” backgrounds. The article states the threshold is “where more than 50% of residents are from what the Danish government considers to be ‘non-Western’ backgrounds.”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities	10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.	Number of successful asylum claims. Number of migrants crossing borders irregularly (e.g., in small boats).
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.	Number of people expelled or returned to their country of origin.
   SDG 5: Gender Equality	5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage…	Implementation of policies to prevent forced marriage (e.g., minimum age requirement of 24 for family reunion).
   SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all…	Employment rate of refugees (specifically, being in full-time employment as a condition for settlement).
   SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing…	Percentage of residents from “non-Western” backgrounds in housing estates (used as a threshold for demolition/sale).

Source: bbc.com