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Legal migrants to face waits of 10 years or more for right to settle in UK
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, is expected to announce changes to settlement rules for legal migrants, with reports that existing social care workers may be exempt from longer waits. The possible exemption would soften proposals that have drawn criticism from Labour MPs and prompted tensions within the Government over whether the rules should apply to people already in the UK.
The original plan would extend the usual qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain from five to 10 years for most migrants, and potentially to 15 years for care workers. Mahmood said 350,000 low-skilled workers and dependants could otherwise qualify for settlement over five years, with a projected lifetime cost to taxpayers of £10 billion. More than 200,000 people responded to the consultation; the final decision is due to be announced in the House of Commons.
In short
- The Government is set to confirm changes to settlement rules.
- Existing social care workers may be exempt from longer waits.
- The original plan proposed waits of up to 15 years.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of longer settlement waits argue that indefinite leave to remain is a significant, lasting status and that a longer qualifying period could give the Government more time to assess whether people are contributing and meeting the rules. They also point to the projected £10 billion lifetime cost and say settlement policy should be sustainable for public finances and public confidence in migration controls.
The case against
Opponents argue that extending the wait, especially for people already living and working in the UK, would change expectations after people have made major decisions about their jobs and families. They say lengthy uncertainty can make it harder to retain care workers and other essential staff, while the projected fiscal cost does not capture migrants’ contributions or establish that a longer wait would reduce public spending.
Explained simply
Indefinite leave to remain is permission to live in the UK permanently, without the time limit attached to most visas. It can also make it easier to work, study and access some benefits, and may be a step towards applying for British citizenship.
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, is responsible for the proposed changes to the rules. They concern people who came to the UK legally, including workers and their dependants, and how long they must live here before they can apply to settle.
The debate involves questions about immigration policy, public spending and the treatment of people already living in the UK. Changes to the qualifying period could affect when migrants and their families gain a more secure status.