Reform UK’s plans to suspend Britain’s asylum system for five years have drawn fierce criticism from the Scottish Greens, who warn that the proposals would threaten the safety of vulnerable people seeking sanctuary in the UK.

Scottish Greens justice spokesperson Maggie Chapman MSP condemned the announcement on Monday 12 October, accusing Nigel Farage’s party of abandoning fundamental human rights and humanitarian responsibilities.

Under the proposals, Reform UK would suspend new asylum claims for five years if it formed the next UK Government, bringing a halt to a system through which people fleeing persecution can seek protection.

The party also intends to cancel outstanding asylum applications and appeals, affecting around 90,000 cases, while closing most legal refugee resettlement routes.

Farage argues that the measures are necessary to restore control over Britain’s borders and address what he describes as a national security emergency.

His proposals would represent a fundamental change to the country’s approach to asylum, with people seeking protection facing significantly greater restrictions on their ability to have their circumstances considered.

The announcement has prompted criticism from refugee organisations and political opponents concerned about the consequences for people escaping war, persecution and other serious threats.

Chapman said the proposals would have damaging consequences for individuals, families and communities across Britain.

She said:

“Everyone has the right to seek asylum.

“This latest proposal by Reform is as cruel and brutal as it is inhumane and morally bankrupt.

“If enacted, it would do serious damage to our communities and the lives of people and families who have fled terrible circumstances.

“It would also completely undermine our legal and moral obligations to international human rights and humanitarian law.

“The right to seek asylum is a human right, not a privilege that governments can simply withdraw.

“People should not be punished for seeking sanctuary, and no government should abandon its responsibility to protect people at risk.

“Our communities are stronger when we welcome people, tackle poverty and invest in the public services everyone relies on.

“That is what we should be doing today and always.

“Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, and nobody should be denied safety because of where they were born.

“I hope that Andy Burnham will stand against the vile racism and authoritarianism of Reform rather than replicating it like so many of his predecessors.”

The criticism comes as the UK Government pursues its own changes to immigration and asylum policy, including reforms to refugee protection and the appeals system.

However, Reform’s proposals go considerably further by seeking to suspend asylum applications altogether rather than changing how claims are assessed.

Britain is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, which establishes international obligations towards people fleeing persecution, including protections against returning refugees to places where their lives or freedom would be threatened.

Any attempt to suspend the asylum system would therefore raise substantial questions about how those obligations could continue to be met.

For the Scottish Greens, the disagreement goes beyond border policy to the principle that people facing persecution should have a meaningful opportunity to seek safety.

The proposals remain Reform UK policy commitments rather than legislation, but their announcement has brought the future of Britain’s asylum system firmly back into political debate.