The UK Home Secretary has proposed a stricter, contribution-based immigration system that would require migrants to live in the country for at least 10 years, hold a job, avoid claiming welfare, acquire a high-level of English, and participate in community work before qualifying for permanent residency. The policy shift is aimed at reducing net migration, appeasing the British public, and countering pressure from the rising Reform UK party.
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has unveiled sweeping new proposals to overhaul the UK’s immigration and settlement system, signalling a policy shift that places greater emphasis on economic contribution, integration, and community involvement for migrants seeking permanent residency.
The Home Office released a press release on September 29 outlining the plans for a new "contribution-based" model of settlement aimed at reducing net migration, easing pressure on public services, and improving integration. Mahmood then delivered the proposals in her speech at the party's conference in Liverpool. A time for reengaging the party faithful and bolstering support among the population.
Under the proposed system, the minimum residence requirement for migrants to qualify to remain will be extended from five to ten years, doubling the current threshold. Although a decade-long lawful stay will become the standard route, individuals will have the opportunity to shorten the waiting period by meeting certain conditions such as higher earnings or what the Home Office accepts to be demonstrable community integration.
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Proposed new requirements
Migrants seeking indefinite leave to remain under the proposed system will be required to hold full-time employment, make consistent National Insurance contributions (which are contributions towards healthcare and the state pension), and avoid claiming any form of state benefits. They must also demonstrate a "high standard" of English proficiency, maintain a clean criminal record, and actively contribute to their local communities, such as through volunteering or civic engagement.
Those who don't meet these criteria or are found to have been non-compliant during their time in the UK may face extended waiting periods or rejection of their settlement application altogether.
The move is an attempt to restore public confidence in the immigration system, but it has also faced criticism from migrant rights groups. Over 100 organizations have signed a joint letter urging the Home Secretary to abandon what they describe as "performative" policies that scapegoat migrants and inflict harm without solving structural issues.
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Far-right's popularity exerts political pressure
A formal consultation on the new rules is expected to be launched before the end of the year.
The announcement comes amid growing political pressure from the right-wing Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage, which has gained traction in national polls. Reform recently proposed abolishing indefinite leave to remain altogether, instead requiring all migrants to reapply for visas every five years. However, Labour leaders have condemned that as extreme and discriminatory.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer slammed the reform proposal as "racist" and warned it would "tear the country apart." Labour officials said that their own plan offers a "clear dividing line" between fair contribution-based expectations and Reform's "vision."
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British public concerns over migration
Immigration remains a contentious issue in UK politics, with recent increases in irregular boat arrivals across the English Channel and ongoing economic hurdles causing political divisions among the public. Over 32,000 people have reached UK shores this year, with at least 27 fatalities recorded during irregular crossings.
Home Secretary Mahmood has warned her party that failure to address migration issues risks alienating "working people" who might be "seek[ing] solace in the false promises" of Farage.
At the Labour Party's annual conference, Finance Minister Rachel Reeves promised to invest in the UK’s economic renewal, unveiling plans to help young people into work, while Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper framed the next general election in 2029 as a choice between Labour and "chaotic right-wing ideology."
The proposed immigration changes mark a defining moment for the Labour government, as it seeks to appease British voters over migration and regain its lead in the polls.
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