The Labour migration minister has assured that the Government is committed to expanding safe and legal pathways for individuals escaping persecution. Criticism has been directed at the Government for not broadening asylum routes, with concerns that this contributes to the increase in small boat crossings.
Mike Tapp, the migration and citizenship minister, mentioned that the Government’s focus is on controlling illegal migration before opening more safe routes. He highlighted a significant rise in the number of individuals, mainly from Ukraine, who were granted sanctuary in 2025.
According to data released by the Home Office, 190,000 individuals were granted permission to reside in the UK through humanitarian channels, marking a 2.5-fold increase from the previous year.
Mr. Tapp emphasized the UK’s commitment to offering refuge to those genuinely fleeing conflict and persecution. Notably, the number of individuals granted sanctuary through safe and legal routes has more than doubled over the past year, including extensions to the Ukraine scheme and invitations to Hong Kong residents.
While no specific timeline was provided, Mr. Tapp assured that the Government would explore expanding safe routes as a safer alternative to risky small boat crossings as efforts to curb illegal migration progress.
Home Office records indicate that the majority of the 190,000 cases involved extensions for individuals already in the UK, with a significant number being Ukrainians escaping the war in their country. Additionally, 49,081 grants were issued to individuals outside the UK, including participants in the Ukraine schemes, reflecting a decrease from the previous year.
Imran Hussain, director of external affairs at Refugee Council, stressed the importance of providing safe and legal routes for refugees to prevent perilous small boat crossings. He expressed concerns about the reduction in protection granted through resettlement schemes and the suspension of family reunion, which could pose risks, particularly for vulnerable populations like children from countries such as Afghanistan, Sudan, and Eritrea.
