The United Kingdom has published new guidance for asylum seekers detailing the country's laws on consent to sexual activity, gender equality, and domestic abuse. The nine-page document says that those living in the U.K. should not "whistle or make kissing noises at someone," make sexual remarks toward another person, or follow someone in a public space. One of the sections says equal rights for men and women are an "important part" of British culture, with women able to travel independently, attend schools and colleges, choose their martial partners, and earn their own income.
"Women do not need permission from a husband, father, brother or any other man to do any of these things," the document says. The U.K.'s Home Office said the guidance would help asylum seekers "understand what is expected" of U.K. residents when customs differ from their countries of origin. However, the document was quickly criticized by the country's far-right, anti-immigration Reform party as a "disgrace." Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary for the opposition Conservative Party, also said: "Instead of trying to train these mainly young, male illegal immigrants to behave in a civilized way towards women, they should be deported." Asylum seekers are people who have fled their home country in search of safety and legal protection from another government.
While they are waiting for a decision on whether they can remain in the country, they are restricted on what they can do and are not allowed to work. Anti-immigrant sentiment is on the rise in Europe, driving support for far-right populist parties like the U.K.'s Reform, France's National Rally, and Germany's AfD—Alternative for Germany. More centrist parties, attempting to pull voters back from these right-wing parties, have often toughened up their stances on immigration, which has spiked in some European countries in recent years following conflicts in Africa and the Middle East.
A total of 93,525 people claimed asylum in the U.K. in the year up to March 2026, according to Home Office figures published last month. This is a 12 percent drop from the previous year, the U.K. government said. "Returns of failed asylum seekers have reached their highest level since 2010 under this government," a Home Office spokesperson said.
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