Asylum seekers’ jewellery could be seized to pay for processing costs, says Home Office minister

Idea borrowed from Denmark is latest attempt to reduce number of people seeking asylum in UK

Asylum seekers could have jewellery or other valuables taken to pay for the costs of processing their cases, a Home Office minister has said, in another detail of changes to migration policy likely to cause concern among Labour MPs.

Speaking to broadcasters before the formal announcement of sweeping changes to asylum policy on Monday, the Home Office minister Alex Norris said while this would not involve seizing wedding rings, jewellery without sentimental value could be taken.

The idea is another borrowed from Denmark’s tough approach to asylum by Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, in an attempt to reduce the number of refugees coming to the UK.

While Mahmood has billed the changes as the only way to see off “dark forces … stirring up anger” over migration, a number of Labour MPs are known to dislike some of the ideas, with at least one minister on resignation watch.