More than 200,000 granted permanent UK residency since settlement reforms proposed
The article reports that more than 200,000 people have been granted indefinite leave to remain in Britain since the Government proposed tightening settlement rules last year. The proposal, which would extend the usual qualifying period for settlement, remains under debate amid opposition from Labour MPs and unions, while ministers consider how to balance changes with commitments to people already in the UK.
Under current rules, people who have lived in Britain for five years after arriving legally can qualify for indefinite leave to remain, which allows them to stay permanently and apply for benefits; they may apply for citizenship a year later. The Government has warned that 1.6 million people could qualify between 2026 and 2030, and estimated the cohort’s lifetime cost to taxpayers at £10 billion. The article cites official figures showing 199,628 people were granted settlement in a 12-month period.
- More than 200,000 people have gained indefinite leave to remain since reform was proposed.
- The Government has considered extending the qualifying period from five years to ten.
- Ministers face debate over changes and their effects on people already in Britain.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “The true cost of Labour’s migration dithering: At least 200,000 are given the right to remain since crackdown promise, official figures show”.