Tune into "Immigration: the Danish Way" to explore the controversial model inspiring the UK's upcoming major shake-up of its immigration and asylum system. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood dispatched officials to Copenhagen to study Denmark's strict rules, widely regarded as among the toughest in Europe. Denmark has driven successful asylum claims to a 40-year low.

This program investigates the specific policies drawing UK attention, including tighter restrictions on family reunions—which require partners to be 24 or older and pass a language test—and limiting most refugees fleeing conflicts to temporary stays, allowing their return when their home country is deemed safe.

The approach, championed by Denmark's centre-left Social Democrats, is viewed by some UK Labour MPs as a political necessity to combat rising populist parties. However, critics label the Danish system "hardcore" and policies targeting "parallel societies" as "undeniably racist". Discover the political and practical lessons the UK is seeking to learn, and the fierce opposition they face.


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This episode includes AI-generated content.