UK Interior Minister Proposes Tougher Rules for Migrants

TDT | Manama

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Britain’s Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood has announced plans for stricter rules for migrants seeking permanent residency in the UK. The proposal was revealed Monday during the Labour Party’s annual conference in Liverpool, as the government aims to counter the growing popularity of Nigel Farage’s anti-immigrant Reform UK party.

Under the new plan, migrants applying for “indefinite leave to remain” would need to meet several new requirements. They must have a job, make social security contributions, avoid claiming benefits, keep a clean criminal record, and take part in volunteer community work. Mahmood will also stress that migrants should achieve a high level of English proficiency.

Currently, migrants who have lived in the UK legally for 10 years, or for five years if they have family ties, can apply for permanent residence. This status allows them to live, work, study, receive benefits, and eventually apply for citizenship.

Labour’s proposed changes mark a significant shift in immigration policy. The party said the reforms will be formally consulted on later this year.

The announcement follows Reform UK’s call to scrap indefinite leave to remain entirely, replacing it with renewable five-year visas. This would affect hundreds of thousands of people already settled in the UK.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer strongly criticized Reform’s plan, calling it “racist” and “immoral,” warning that it would “tear the country apart.” He urged Labour members to unite against Farage, describing the fight as “the battle of our lives.”

The immigration debate comes at a time of economic strain, with high inflation and government debt limiting financial flexibility. Labour hopes the tougher stance will reassure voters while setting itself apart from Reform’s more extreme proposals.