The UK government has unveiled a new plan that would restrict migrants’ access to benefits and social housing until they become British citizens. This move is part of a broader overhaul of the immigration system, aiming to prioritize contribution, integration, and fairness.
Under the proposed changes, migrants will need to wait up to 10 years to apply for indefinite leave to remain, and those who claim benefits could face even longer waits – up to 20 or 25 years. Illegal entrants and visa overstayers may have to wait up to 30 years to settle.
The Refugee Council has expressed concerns that these plans would create an “expensive bureaucracy” and keep people in limbo, while the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, argues that settling in the UK is a “privilege, not a right” and must be earned.
The plan has sparked controversy, with critics arguing it will disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including refugees and low-skilled workers. The government claims the reforms will build a fairer immigration system, prioritizing those who contribute to the economy and society.
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