Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to undertake a review of the refugee status, humanitarian protection status and subsequent settlement grants of Bangladeshi nationals whose protection claims were based on a risk of persecution by the former Awami League government.

The UK’s asylum policy statement, published in November 2025, sets out a new approach to protection in the UK, which marks a significant change in direction away from an assumption of offering permanent protection, and towards protection that is granted for the duration of need, which we call ‘Core Protection’.   For people who claim asylum and are granted protection in the UK, we will provide support for refugees that is entirely in accordance with our international obligations but does not exceed them.

Refugee status will be granted for the duration of need, lasting only until a refugee can safely return home. Asylum seekers and refugees will not be offered the generous terms they currently receive.  We will no longer have a duty to support those who have the ability to support themselves, nor those who break our laws or rules.

The need for protection is not always permanent and we therefore reassess whether all individuals granted temporary protection, including nationals of Bangladesh, still require protection before granting them further permission to stay or settlement in the UK.

Each case is considered on its individual merits against the background of relevant caselaw and the latest available country of origin information. Our assessment of the situation of a given group in a given country, is set out in the relevant Country Policy and Information Note. We keep all country guidance relating to asylum claims under constant review so we can respond to emerging issues such as challenges in Bangladesh. The CPIN for Bangladesh is available on GOV.UK at: Bangladesh: country policy and information notes - GOV.UK

All safe return reviews of those who have been granted protection in the UK, including nationals of Bangladesh, will continue to be carefully considered on their individual merits. This includes assessing whether there have been significant changes in country conditions or personal circumstances, which means that an individual no longer needs our protection.

Settlement is a privilege, not an automatic right, and provides permission to stay in the UK permanently and freedom from immigration control for those who still require protection. Once someone has been given settlement, protection status can potentially be revoked where evidence emerges that status was obtained by deception; where there is a significant and non-temporary change in the country situation and protection is no longer needed; or where someone commits a serious crime, represents a threat to our national security or demonstrates extremist behaviour.

All cases are considered on a case-by-case basis and protection status will only be revoked in these circumstances where there is no protection need on any grounds. We will not remove anyone to their own or any other country where they have a well-founded fear of persecution or are at risk of serious harm.