Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced a major overhaul of the UK’s immigration policy, pledging to take decisive action to tighten border security and impose rigorous new criteria on migrants seeking to settle in the country, reports BritPanorama.
During her address at the Labour conference on Monday, Mahmood outlined a plan to require migrants to demonstrate their societal value in order to be granted indefinite leave to remain (ILR). The proposed changes could significantly extend the current five-year residency requirement to ten years.
Migrants will need to meet a variety of new conditions, including achieving a “high standard” of English proficiency and maintaining a clean criminal record. Additionally, they will be barred from accessing public benefits and must actively volunteer in local communities to qualify for status, she stated.
This move, intended to reclaim the Labour Party’s narrative on immigration from the populist Reform UK party, represents a strategic shift amid dwindling public trust in Labour regarding issues like cost of living and taxation.
The proposed extension of the ILR eligibility period is just one aspect of the plan. Mahmood emphasized that time spent in the UK alone will not suffice; migrants must earn their right to stay through contributions to society.
Mahmood dismissed criticisms from former UKIP leader Nigel Farage, whom she labelled as “worse than racist… it’s immoral.” She reaffirmed her commitment to securing the UK’s borders and stated, “Time spent in this country alone is not enough. You must earn the right to live in this country.”
The new “earn it” system aims to allow migrants to reduce the waiting period through positive contributions, while those who fail to meet expectations could face longer waiting times. However, this crackdown will not be applied retrospectively, allowing around 1.3 million individuals who entered the UK between 2021 and 2024 to seek ILR after just five years.
Reports indicate that Mahmood is considering an emergency solution for those caught in the transitional period, although the specifics remain unclear. Lawyers have warned that any attempt to retroactively implement the new requirements could face judicial challenges.
Ashley Stothard, an immigration lawyer, highlighted the potential for legal disputes over the retrospective application of the ten-year rule, recalling a prior successful challenge by migrants against similar government actions in 2008.
Mahmood acknowledged that her policies may not sit well with all Labour members, stating, “In solving this crisis, you may not always like what I do.” She concluded by emphasizing the importance of controlling immigration to maintain the UK’s status as an open and generous society.
In contrast, Reform UK’s recent proposals to replace ILR with a five-year renewable work visa have intensified the ongoing debate, with Labour leader Keir Starmer denouncing them as “racist policy” while clarifying that he does not believe supporters of Reform share these views.
