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The home secretary has acknowledged fairness concerns over proposals to extend the wait for permanent residence. No final decision has been made.
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Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has signalled that the government could revise plans to make migrants wait longer for permanent residence in the UK. At Labour’s annual conference, she acknowledged concerns that parts of the proposals were unfair and said ministers would seek a balance between fairness to people who came to the UK legally and fairness to British citizens. [1]
The proposals would double the usual qualifying period for most migrants from five to 10 years. People who arrived on health and social care visas would face a 15-year wait, while those who had relied on benefits for more than 12 months would wait 20 years. Permanent residence, also known as indefinite leave to remain, allows people to live, work and study in the UK without a time limit, and to claim benefits if eligible. [1]
Labour MPs, including Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, and trade unions have pressed for the plans to be softened. Unison general secretary Andrea Egan said the proposed changes would unfairly penalise overseas care workers. [1]
A Conservative spokesperson claimed Mahmood would abandon the plans, while Prime Minister Andy Burnham denied she had been forced to drop them. Home Office sources told the BBC that no final decision on changes to immigration rules had been taken. [1]
1 listed sources · explore evidence, limitations and provenance.
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