Shabana Mahmood planning to bring THOUSANDS of refugees to UK homes with Ukrainian-style sponsorship scheme

Shabana Mahmood is planning to bring thousands of refugees to British homes under a new Ukrainian-style sponsorship scheme.

The Home Secretary is expected to unveil the plans next week, with refugees from conflict zones around the world set to be offered new "safe and legal" routes into the UK.

Under the proposals, refugees would be able to apply through the new scheme from the autumn, according to The Times.

It is understood that more than 10,000 refugees could ultimately be brought to Britain under the programme, although ministers have not set out a formal target.

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The scheme is designed to mirror Canada's community sponsorship programme, which allows members of the public to sponsor refugees by committing to support their financial, emotional and settlement needs during their first year in the country.

It would also resemble the Homes for Ukraine scheme introduced following Russia's invasion in 2022, which saw around 200,000 Ukrainians sponsored to come to Britain on temporary visas.

Announcing the plans, Ms Mahmood said: "Britain has always offered sanctuary to those fleeing war and persecution.

"But this system only survives if the public trusts that it is fair, controlled, and not open to abuse.

"I will open new legal routes for genuine refugees, while closing loopholes that have been too often abused.

"My goal is simple – to ensure we have an asylum system not just today, but for generations to come."

The scheme will be open to refugees who have fled conflict or humanitarian crises, such as famine and drought, and who have been referred to Britain by the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR.

Sudanese and Eritrean nationals are expected to be among those prioritised under the programme, as they currently represent some of the largest groups crossing the Channel in small boats.

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The Government hopes the initiative will provide an alternative route for refugees who might otherwise attempt to reach Britain illegally via Europe.

The Home Secretary is expected to say that "named sponsorship" will become the "new norm" for refugees entering the UK.

Canada's sponsorship scheme has enabled more than 390,000 refugees to settle in the country since 1979, including more than 30,000 in 2024 alone.

A study by the University of Birmingham found that sponsorship schemes can encourage more inclusive attitudes within local communities. Polling has also indicated that public backing for refugee resettlement is stronger when communities have a say over who is resettled in their area.

Leonie Ansems De Vries, vice-chairwoman of the Community Sponsorship Alliance, welcomed the plans.

"The Government's commitment to open applications this autumn is a vital step towards building a protection system with integration and public consent at its core," she said.

"It creates a real opportunity to put community energy back at the heart of the UK's protection offer, building on the spirit of Homes for Ukraine, which proved how ready the British public are to open their arms to those fleeing danger.

"The strength of this model relies on local people deciding who they will welcome and support.

"We urge the Government not to draw eligibility criteria so narrowly that it stifles the very public goodwill that makes sponsorship work."

Ministers are expected to publish details of the new community sponsorship scheme on Tuesday as part of the Immigration and Asylum Bill.

The legislation will also include significant reforms to human rights and modern slavery laws aimed at making it more difficult for failed asylum seekers and foreign criminals to use legal challenges to delay or prevent their removal from the UK.

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