LONDON — Migrants seeking to build a permanent life in Britain will soon face tougher rules, as the Labour government moves to tighten requirements for settlement, according to Hurriyet Daily News.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to unveil the measures Monday at Labour’s annual party conference. Under the proposals, migrants applying for “indefinite leave to remain”, the status that allows them to live and work in the U.K. permanently would need to prove they are employed, have made social security contributions, possess a clean criminal record, and engage in volunteer or community work.
The changes mark a sharp break from current policy, which allows many applicants to qualify after five years in the country with family ties, or after a decade of legal residence on any visa. Successful applicants today gain access to welfare, education, and a path to citizenship.
The new rules come amid rising political pressure over immigration. Reform UK, the hard-right party led by Nigel Farage and now topping national polls, recently vowed to abolish permanent residency altogether, requiring migrants to reapply for visas every five years, even those who have lived in Britain for decades.
Labour’s statement framed its approach as a clear contrast. “These measures draw a dividing line between a fair system that rewards contribution, and Reform’s plan, which would tear families from their homes,” the party said.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Reform’s proposal as “racist” and warned it would “tear the country apart.” Mahmood, in her first speech as home secretary, is expected to stress that migrants must also learn English to a high standard, pledging to be a “tough” minister on immigration.
Immigration remains one of the most combustible issues in British politics and Labour appears determined to keep the debate firmly on its own terms.
