London, Sept. 29 -- Britain is reopening its refugee resettlement system to new referrals, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood promising "safe and legal routes" for vulnerable refugees - including Afghan women and girls and Palestinians who have fled Gaza.

But the announcement is likely to intensify an already bitter British debate over immigration, integration and the future shape of the country.

Under the reopened UK Resettlement Scheme, around one in four referrals is expected to involve Afghan women and girls and Palestinian refugees.

Mahmood insists the system will be "capped and controlled", arguing that Britain can combine tighter action against illegal Channel crossings with humanitarian routes for people genuinely fleeing war ...