The Home Secretary opened the Commons second reading debate on the Immigration and Asylum Bill on 13 July 2026, setting out measures on appeals, protection status, Article 8, modern slavery and asylum support.
Shabana Mahmood MP, Secretary of State for the Home Office, moved that the Bill be read a second time on 13 July 2026. The following summarises what her opening speech said about the Bill's contents. It is a Bill, not law, and its measures may change as it passes through Parliament.
Appeals (Part 1, clauses 1, 2, 11 and 12). The Bill would create an Independent Immigration Appeals Authority, staffed by adjudicators rather than judges, with Senior Adjudicators who have legal experience. Appeals to the Upper Tribunal would remain on points of law only. The speech said more than 150,000 people are waiting for an appeal decision. Clauses 11 and 12 would create a single appeal route requiring claimants to raise all relevant matters up front, with late claims handled through an expedited process.
Protection status (Part 3, clause 21). Refugee status and humanitarian protection would be replaced by one "core protection model". Each claim would be assessed once, and a right of appeal would be available only to those refused protection.
Article 8 (clauses 17 to 20). Clause 18 would define "family" for immigration purposes as normally the immediate family unit: a spouse or partner, parent, or a child under 18. Clause 17 would require an Article 8 family life claim from overseas to be made by a UK-based sponsor. Clause 19 would define the public interest, including economic impact and the timing of when rights were established. Clause 20 would add that the more serious the offending, the greater the public interest in removal. The Home Secretary also said the government intends to bring forward an amendment giving a power to disapply Section 7 of the Immigration Act 1971 for serious criminals.
Modern slavery (Part 5, clauses 36 and 37, and clauses 44 to 49). Anyone who poses a threat to public order or national security, including foreign nationals with a custodial sentence (even if suspended), would not receive modern slavery protection and support. Clause 36 covers the effect of delayed disclosure on credibility. Clause 37 would end support during the 30-day recovery period for unfounded claims. Clauses 44 to 49 set reporting duties on businesses and public bodies, with fines of up to £1 million.
Asylum support (Part 4, clause 23). A new power would require people who have received asylum support to repay a portion when they can. Children and people who arrived by a safe and legal route would be exempt. The payment design will be set out in draft regulations, which the Home Secretary said she will share during the Bill's passage.
The speech also said new community-sponsored and study routes will open for applications in autumn 2026, with the first refugees arriving in autumn 2027.
What this means for applicants
Nothing in the Bill has taken effect, and no new duties apply to applicants, sponsors or employers yet. The Bill still has to pass through Parliament, and the repayment scheme and other details depend on regulations not yet published. Businesses and public bodies in scope of the supply chain reporting clauses (44 to 49) can see the proposed fine ceiling of £1 million.
Sources
- Immigration and Asylum Bill: second reading opening speech, GOV.UK, 13 July 2026