The UK Home Office announced Friday night a new sponsored refugee route that would allow universities, community groups, and businesses to bring refugees into the country under a capped system, according to BBC News.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the new system would protect genuine refugees while closing loopholes that had been abused. "Britain has always offered sanctuary to those fleeing war and persecution," she said. "But this system only survives if the public trusts that it is fair, controlled, and not open to abuse."
The model is based on Canada's community sponsorship scheme, which has resettled almost 400,000 refugees since it was introduced in 1979. According to Home Office figures, 70% of sponsored refugees in Canada find work within a year, which is 30% higher than those resettled through government schemes.
Under the proposed UK system, sponsoring organizations would be responsible for helping refugees find housing and work. The government would work with the UN High Commission on Refugees to establish eligibility, and background checks would be conducted before refugees could travel to the UK. A refugee work route is expected to open next year.
The full scope of which organizations would be accepted remains unclear. The announcement said trusted universities and community groups such as churches would be included. The UK already operates a smaller refugee sponsorship program, the UK Resettlement Scheme, but the Home Office said the vast majority of those placements are currently supported by local councils.
The announcement comes as Mahmood works to build support for her immigration bill before it goes before the Commons next week. Some Labour MPs are expected to oppose its more hardline elements. Earlier this year, Mahmood drew on Denmark's asylum model by introducing a system that gives only temporary protection to refugees and doubles the time migrants must wait for permanent residency, a move that angered some within the Labour party.
The Conservatives said no additional people should be allowed into the country until illegal immigration was stopped. Reform UK said it would reverse the scheme if elected to government.
The government has been under pressure to reduce the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels at taxpayer expense. Illegal small boat crossings have also eroded public confidence in the asylum system.
