Migrants living legally in the United Kingdom will soon face tougher requirements before being granted the right to remain permanently, under proposals to be set out by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
In her speech at Labour’s annual conference, Ms Mahmood is expected to unveil a package of measures aimed at ensuring migrants demonstrate their contribution to society before achieving settled status.
Doubling the Settlement Period
At present, those who arrive legally in Britain may apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years, allowing them to live, study and work without restriction. Labour intends to double that period to ten years, a significant shift designed to underline the party’s stance on what it terms “fair migration”.
The proposals will also tie settlement to a series of conditions. Applicants will need to show fluency in English, maintain a clean criminal record and actively contribute to their communities through volunteering. Ministers are also expected to place emphasis on migrants making regular National Insurance contributions and avoiding reliance on welfare benefits.
Drawing a Contrast with Reform UK
Labour has made clear that these reforms are intended to set it apart from Reform UK, which advocates abolishing indefinite leave to remain altogether and replacing it with renewable visas. Such a move would apply even to those who have lived and worked in Britain for decades.
Sir Keir Starmer has condemned Reform’s proposals as “racist” and “immoral”, a stance echoed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. She distinguished between enforcing removal of those without legal status and deporting people who have long contributed to British society. Reform’s leader Nigel Farage has dismissed Labour’s criticism as “desperate”, arguing that his party stands for stronger border control.
Emphasis on Integration and Patriotism
Ms Mahmood is expected to argue that integration lies at the heart of public acceptance of migration. She will stress that permanent settlement should be earned, not automatic, and that patriotism should be inclusive rather than what she calls “ethno-nationalism”.
The Home Secretary will also reflect on her own family’s migration story, including her experience growing up in her parents’ corner shop, to illustrate the importance of migrants’ contributions to local communities.
Tackling Crime and Building Trust
Alongside migration reforms, Ms Mahmood will launch a national “winter of action” targeting shoplifting. Police forces will work with retailers to curb theft, an issue she links to her personal experiences.
The announcement forms part of Labour’s wider strategy to demonstrate both fairness and firmness on law, order, and migration, while countering the growing appeal of Reform UK.
Looking Ahead
Labour insists the changes will not only strengthen trust in the immigration system but also protect opportunities for those who integrate, contribute and build their lives in Britain. Some migrants with highly valued skills or notable community contributions may even become eligible for earlier settlement under the proposals.
The debate marks one of the sharpest dividing lines between Labour and Reform UK, with both parties vying to shape the national conversation on migration at a time when Reform leads many opinion polls.
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