Liverpool — The Great Britain plans to tighten its permanent residency rules, requiring migrants to actively demonstrate their value to society before settling permanently. Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood will announce the proposal during her first speech at the Labour Party conference on Monday.
This move responds to growing support for Reform UK, a populist party pushing hardline immigration policies. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government aims to counter that momentum by introducing tougher controls.
Currently, migrants apply for “indefinite leave to remain” after five years in the UK. This status grants permanent residency and access to public services. Under the proposed changes, applicants must meet new criteria: consistent social security contributions, a clean criminal record, and no history of claiming benefits.
The government also intends to require high-level English proficiency and documented community service or volunteering. These changes aim to ensure that only those who actively contribute to British society qualify for permanent status.
Officials will launch a formal consultation on the revised permanent residency rules later this year. According to excerpts from Mahmood’s speech, the reforms reflect a balance between fairness and national interest.
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, recently proposed replacing indefinite leave with a renewable five-year work visa. Starmer condemned the plan, calling it a “racist policy” that would “tear this country apart.”
Immigration remains a top concern for British voters. It played a decisive role in the 2016 Brexit vote, yet net arrivals have surged since the UK left the European Union. The new permanent residency rules reflect a broader effort to regain control over migration and respond to public sentiment.
Mahmood’s speech will emphasize integration, contribution, and accountability as guiding principles for future immigration policy. Labour hopes the reforms will reassure voters while preserving Britain’s reputation as a fair and welcoming society.
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