Under pressure, the British Prime Minister resolves to act. Keir Starmer will announce this Thursday, October 2, a plan to end family reunification – a mechanism allowing family members who have obtained visas in the country to join them. After his suspension in September, the head of government will now present his strategy to abolish it definitively at a summit of European Union leaders in Copenhagen.
“These fundamental reforms will be the basis of a more equitable system where (…) the path to regularization should be longer and deserved thanks to a contribution to the country”Keir Starmer said in a statement cited by Le Figaro this Wednesday October 1st. Faced with record levels of legal and illegal immigration, the Labor government is trying to strengthen its position. More than 110,000 people sought asylum in the UK between June 2024 and June 2025. The highest number since 2001. Additionally, more than 33,000 people arrived by crossing the Channel – also a record.
“There will be no winning ticket to settle in the UK. People will have to deserve it”
As part of this policy change, people who have obtained refugee status will no longer automatically benefit from family reunification. “The UK will continue to play its role in welcoming genuine refugees fleeing persecution. But there will be no winning ticket to settle in the United Kingdom. People will have to deserve it”warned Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Containing Farage’s rise
This announcement comes in a context of strong protests against the migration policies pursued for decades in Great Britain. Numerous anti-immigration demonstrations have been organized in recent months across the country amid cases of rape and sexual violence committed by foreigners.
Keir Starmer also seeks to contain the meteoric rise of anti-immigration party boss Nigel Farage Reform UK. According to recent polls published in the United Kingdom, the former Brexit champion could claim the post of Prime Minister in the next elections, his movement being on track to win a majority of seats in the House of Commons.
