内容摘要：But many of Denmark's harsh measures seemed targeted as much at making headlines, as taking action. The Danish authorities intentionally created a "hostile environment" for migrants", says Alberto Horst Neidhardt, senior analyst at the European Policy Centre.

But many of Denmark's harsh measures seemed targeted as much at making headlines, as taking action. The Danish authorities intentionally created a "hostile environment" for migrants", says Alberto Horst Neidhardt, senior analyst at the European Policy Centre.

The political labels of old are blurring. It's not just Denmark. Across Europe, parties of the centre - right and left - are increasingly using language traditionally associated with the "far right" when it comes to migration to claw back, or hold on to votes.Sir Keir Starmer recently came under fire when, during a speech on immigration, he spoke of the danger of his country becoming 'an island of strangers'.

At the same time in Europe, right-wing parties are adopting social policies traditionally linked to the left to broaden their appeal.In the UK, the leader of the anti-migration, opposition Reform Party Nigel Farage has been under attack for generous shadow budget proposals that critics say don't add up.In France, centrist Emmanuel Macron has sounded increasingly hardline on immigration in recent years, while his political nemesis the National Rally Party leader Marine Le Pen has been heavily mixing social welfare policies into her nationalist agenda to attract more mainstream voters.

But can Danish - and in particular, Danish Social Democrat - tough immigration policies be deemed a success?The answer depends on which criteria you use to judge them.

Asylum claim applications are certainly down in Denmark, in stark contrast to much of the rest of Europe. The number, as of May 2025, is the lowest in 40 years, according to immigration.dk, an online information site for refugees in Denmark.

But Nordic Denmark is certainly not what's seen as a frontline state - like Italy - where people smugglers' boats frequently wash up along its shores.The confirmation that more people will receive winter fuel payments this winter comes ahead of the UK government's spending review, which will be announced on 11 June.

The review will outline day-to-day departmental budgets over the next three years and investment budgets over the next four.Whitehall insiders have told the BBC they expect it will be "ugly", and on Wednesday, Reeves said

suggesting she had turned down requests for funding from ministers.Reeves's position on ruling out borrowing for day-to-day spending and not raising taxes again has fuelled speculation that spending cuts will be made.