UN warns UK refugee settlement waits could stretch to 30 years

The UN refugee agency has criticised UK plans that could require some refugees who arrived by irregular routes to wait up to 30 years before applying for settlement. It says the extended wait could undermine refugees’ security and ability to build stable lives and contribute to their communities.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s revised plans allow care workers to apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years, while retaining the 30-year maximum for some people arriving by small boat or concealed in lorries. Work or study may shorten the wait, but irregular arrivals face a 10-year penalty compared with people using safe and legal routes. The Helen Bamber Foundation warned the policy would cause lasting harm, particularly to survivors of torture and trafficking, and said it would not deter people fleeing danger.