Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer gestures while speaking during the Progress Global Action Summit, in London, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Keir Starmer has been condemned over his decision to withdraw certain rights from migrants who have been granted asylum in the UK.

In a bid to deter the criticism he has drawn over high immigration numbers – and take the wind out of Reform UK’s sails – the prime minister has declared that “settlement must be earned by contributing to our country”.

Asylum seekers would have to “earn” the right to live in the UK by proving they can “contribute” to British society, and would no longer be allowed to automatically bring family members to Britain.

The prime minister has described these rights as a “golden ticket” attracting people to Britain.

But, despite what Starmer says, not everyone sees this as a “tolerant and fair approach to migration”.

Independent migration policy researcher Zoe Gardner suggested it was proof this government is a “moral void, a stinking darkness, an empty hollow of cowardice and contempt”.

Others on social media claimed there never was “a golden ticket”, and questioned the ethics of this decision – especially considering out that Starmer took aim at

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