Two million legal migrants who arrived in the UK from 2021 must have stayed in the country for at least 10 years to be considered for settled status, under new proposals put forward by the home secretary.
Earlier this year the government announced it would double the qualifying period for migrants hoping to be granted permanent settlement from five years to 10 years, with reductions available for those who make a “strong contribution” to British life.
Shabana Mahmood has announced that the two million people who arrived in the UK from 2021 – under what Labour has dubbed the “Boris wave” – will now have to wait 10 years for permanent settlement.
Other proposals being put forward by Ms Mahmood include:
Low-paid workers, such as the 616,000 people and their dependents who came on health and social care visas between 2022 and 2024, will be subject to a 15-year baseline
Changing rules so that those reliant on benefits face a 20-year wait for settlement – quadruple the current period and the longest in Europe
Giving a statement in the House of Commons, Ms Mahmood said settling in the UK was not a “right” but a “privilege that must be earned”.
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She expressed fears that “Greater Britain” was in danger of “giving way to Littler England” and that current divisions could lead to danger for migrants and their families, including hers.
She added: “Some will choose to scorn this analysis. They would rather we simply wished it away, but those who look like me do not have that luxury, our lives, and those of our families, are more dangerous in a country that turns inwards. So we have no choice but to ask, what is the cause of our division, and how might this country be united?”
Settlement refers to a person’s right to live in the UK permanently and is is also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
This allows people to work and study in the UK and apply for benefits if they are eligible.
The home secretary confirmed that her change would not apply to those who already had settled status.
“We propose these changes apply to everyone in the country today who has not yet received indefinite leave to remain, though we are seeking views on whether there should be some transitional arrangements available.
“May I make one thing absolutely clear though: we will not change the rules for those with settled status today. These are people who have been in our country for years, even decades. They have families here, wives, husbands, children.
“They have worked in our hospitals, taught in our schools and have been contributing to our society for years. Fairness is the most fundamental of British values. We made a promise when we gave them settlement and we do not break our promises.”
However, Ms Mahmood did say she would consult on whether asylum seekers who claim benefits should not qualify for settlement until 15 years after their arrival.
She told the Commons: “These are subject to consultation, but the government proposes that those who have received benefits for less than 12 months would not qualify for settlement until 15 years after arrival.
“For those who have claimed benefits for more than 12 months, that would rise to 20 years.”
