Migrants who are granted asylum in the UK will no longer have automatic settlement and family reunion rights under landmark new immigration rules.
Announcing the move, Sir Keir Starmer said it would help “address the pull factors driving dangerous and illegal small boats” crossing the Channel from France.
The Prime Minister said: “I believe that if you want to come to the UK, you should contribute to our society.
“That is the tolerant and fair approach to migration that our communities are built on, but the current system is not fit for purpose.
“That is why we’re making fundamental changes to what those granted asylum are afforded in the UK. Settlement must be earned by contributing to our country, not by paying a people smuggler to cross the channel in a boat.”
Asylum seekers granted refugee status currently receive permission to stay in the UK for five years after which they can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which grants them the right to live, work, and study in the country permanently.
The Government last month said it was temporarily suspending new applications for a scheme allowing refugees to bring their family members to Britain.
Sir Keir announced the planned reforms ahead of the European Political Community Summit in Copenhagen on Thursday, where he will co-chair discussions with leaders on tackling illegal migration.
He said international laws, such as the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), would not be "torn down" by the Government, but that their legal interpretations would be reviewed in an effort to curb asylum claims.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will introduce the changes to the rights of those granted asylum in the UK in her upcoming asylum policy reforms.
She will look to end automatic family reunion rights and alter the requirements for long-term settlement in the UK, the Government said.
In her speech at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool this week, Ms Mahmood said migrants will have to prove they are contributing to British society to earn the right to remain in the UK.
She outlined a series of new conditions people from abroad will have to meet to qualify for indefinite leave to remain.
Legal migrants will have to learn English to a high standard, have no criminal record, not claim benefits and volunteer in their communities to be granted permanent settlement status, she said.
Labour said the policy draws a dividing line between its party and Reform UK, which has said it would abolish indefinite leave to remain.
During the four-day Labour Conference, ministers sought to tackle the rise of Nigel Farage head on as his party leads UK-wide national opinion polls.
Reforms announced today are aimed at addressing the driving down the high levels of illegal migration to the UK, including the record number of small boats crossings.
More than 33,000 people have made the journey across the Channel so far this year.
In the last week alone almost 2,000 people crossed from France.
Sir Keir added: “The UK will continue to play its role in welcoming genuine refugees fleeing persecution. But we must also address the pull factors driving dangerous and illegal small boats crossings. There will be no golden ticket to settling in the UK, people will have to earn it.”
