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LEADING ARTICLE

The Times view on asylum system reform: Fair and Firm

Priti Patel’s new asylum system needs to provide safe and legal routes for refugees

The Times

When Priti Patel outlines her proposed overhaul of the asylum system today, the home secretary’s bywords will be “firm and fair”. Firm on those who arrive in Britain illegally, who may be dispatched to offshore detention centres and denied indefinite leave to remain and access to benefits even if their claim is successful. Yet fair to those who arrive via legal means, who will be allowed to settle permanently and given increased state support.

But the system can only be considered truly fair if it does in fact provide safe and legal routes to asylum. Britain prides itself as a country that has provided sanctuary for those in need of protection. Ms Patel’s proposal to offer asylum in future to high profile people persecuted in