Britain has temporarily halted a programme that allowed families of refugees already in the UK to join their relatives, as part of efforts to tackle irregular migration.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the suspension on Monday while addressing lawmakers, explaining that the move was necessary to ease pressure on councils and disrupt criminal networks.
“We do need to address the immediate pressures on local authorities and the risks from criminal gangs using family reunion as a pull factor to encourage more people onto dangerous boats,” she told parliament.
The Home Office revealed that almost 21,000 family reunion visas were issued in the year to June 2025, with the majority granted to women and children. Cooper said the pause precedes wider reforms expected later this year, which will explore “contribution requirements” for family members and “longer periods before newly granted refugees can apply.”
“Until the new framework is introduced, refugees will be covered by the same family migration rules and conditions as everyone else,” she added.
Immigration remains the top issue for Britons, ahead of the economy and the NHS, according to a recent Ipsos survey. Official data shows asylum applications reached over 111,000 in the year to June 2025 — the highest number since records began in 2001.
Since Labour leader Keir Starmer became prime minister in July 2024, more than 50,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel from northern France, adding to longstanding tensions. Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has capitalised on the discontent and is currently polling ahead of Labour, though the next general election is not expected until 2029.
The UK government has also begun implementing a “one-in, one-out” arrangement with France. Under the deal, Britain can return some Channel-crossing migrants to France in exchange for taking in the same number of people through a legal visa pathway. Priority will be given to vulnerable groups and those with family connections in the UK.
Cooper confirmed that the first returns are expected “later this month.” She added, “Applications have also been opened for the reciprocal legal route, with the first cases under consideration subject to strict security checks.”
