Some say Denmark’s rigid rules are key to Social Democrats’ power, but critical Labour MPs think model echoes far-right themes
The UK government is expected to announce changes to the country’s immigration rules, modelled on a controversial system used in Denmark – widely seen as one of the most stringent in Europe.
How does the system in Denmark work and why does the UK want to emulate it?
Concerns about immigration have risen steadily over the past five years, fuelled in part by the number of migrants arriving in Britain via small boat crossings. A recent YouGov poll suggested that voters were more worried about migration than the state of economy.
The Labour government also faces significant challenges from Nigel Farage’s Reform party, currently ahead in the polls. Reform promises to radically overhaul the immigration system if it gains power, most notably scrapping the right of migrants to qualify for permanent settlement in the UK after five years.
