The United Kingdom has announced the reopening of its UK Resettlement Scheme, offering vulnerable people from around the world a safe and legal route to settle in the country.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the initiative aims to provide legal pathways for people affected by war, persecution and other forms of vulnerability.
The scheme has been reopened for new referrals, with hundreds of refugees initially expected to be brought to the UK. According to the government, around 25% of referrals will be allocated to Afghan women and girls and Palestinian refugees.
The programme will be implemented in cooperation with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP).
Speaking at the Labour Party’s annual conference, Mahmood said fairness would be at the centre of the government’s immigration policy. The government said the number of refugees arriving through legal programmes could eventually be increased to several thousand annually, subject to an annual quota.
The announcement comes amid continued debate in Britain over irregular migration across the English Channel, particularly journeys in small boats. The government says it is working to expand safe and legal routes while taking measures to curb irregular arrivals.
The issue has also highlighted the dangers faced by migrants attempting the crossing. In a separate incident near the French coast, three migrants, including a 10-year-old child, reportedly died after a boat carrying 105 people encountered severe overcrowding and pressure. Other passengers were rescued.
According to reports, the number of migrants reaching Britain via the English Channel has fallen significantly compared with the previous year, although fatalities during dangerous sea crossings continue. The British government says expanding safe and legal routes is part of its broader immigration policy.