Law & Border

UK Immigration Showdown: Labour vs. Reform on the Path to Staying in Britain!

The rules for permanent residency in the UK are tightening, and a massive political debate is erupting over the future of settlement. With over 700,000 arrivals last year (ONS estimates), both the governing Labour Party and Nigel Farage's Reform UK have unveiled radical, contrasting plans for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

ILR is the prized status allowing migrants to live and work in the UK indefinitely, often leading to British citizenship. Nearly 800,000 people are expected to qualify by 2030, and both parties say the system must change to ease pressure on public services.

LABOUR’S PLAN: The 10-Year "Contribution-Based" Path

Speaking at the Labour Conference on September 29th, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced a tougher, longer road to settlement:

* Double the Wait: The standard time to qualify for ILR will double from 5 years to 10 years for most migrants.

* New "Contribution" Tests: To "earn your stay," applicants must:

* Speak English well (B2 intermediate level).

* Pay National Insurance taxes without long gaps.

* Avoid claiming most benefits for at least two years.

* Have a clean criminal record.

* Show a commitment to the community (e.g., through volunteering).

* Exceptions: Doctors, nurses, and partners of British citizens may still qualify in five years.

Labour says this "contribution-based" system, starting in 2026 after consultation, will cut net migration by 100,000 a year and ensure only those who "add value" settle permanently.

REFORM UK’S PLAN: Abolish ILR Entirely

A week earlier on September 22nd, Nigel Farage's Reform UK shared a far stricter vision:

* Scrap ILR: Abolish Indefinite Leave to Remain completely for non-EU migrants.

* Renewable Visas Only: Migrants would instead get short-term visas (up to 5 years), requiring repeated reapplication under ever-tougher conditions, including:

* A high earning threshold (around £60,000 a year).

* Stricter English skills.

* No recourse to public funds and restricted NHS access.

* Limits on bringing family members.

* Retrospective Risk: Crucially, even current ILR holders might lose their status and have to reapply, risking deportation if they fail to meet the new rules.

Reform claims this will stop "cheap foreign labour" and cut migration by 80%, saving the UK £230 billion.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Reform’s proposal "cruel" and "immoral," while critics worry Labour’s long wait could still deter essential, low-paid workers.

What does this mean for migrants?

Labour’s plan means a longer, harder path with more conditions.

Reform's plan means no permanent certainty at all.

Stay informed—this political battle will shape who gets to call the UK home.

(For comments and suggestions, e-mail TFCN at [email protected].)

Crystal Dias is a UK-qualified solicitor with a distinguished career in law. Since qualifying in 2003, she has owned Dias Solicitors in London and co-founded Lawyery. Her expertise and dedication have helped thousands of clients navigate complex legal landscapes, and she is highly regarded within the Filipino community for her advocacy on women’s and migrants’ rights.