Stricter rules for permanent residency
Migrants seeking permanent residency in the United Kingdom will soon face stricter rules under a new immigration policy.
Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood is expected to announce the reforms during the Labour Party’s annual conference on Monday, as reported by Diaspora Digital Media (DDM).
Currently, migrants with family in Britain and five years’ residence qualify for indefinite leave to remain (ILR).
Those who have lived legally in the UK for ten years under any visa type also qualify for ILR.
ILR allows holders to live, work, and study freely in the UK and apply for benefits and citizenship.
New eligibility requirements
Under the new policy, eligibility will require additional conditions beyond length of residence.
Applicants will need to contribute to social security, avoid claiming benefits, and maintain a clean criminal record.
They will also be required to participate in voluntary community service to qualify for permanent residence.
Mahmood is expected to stress that migrants must demonstrate responsibility and commitment to UK society.
The Labour Party plans to consult stakeholders later this year before finalising the new rules.
Political context
The announcement comes as immigration becomes a heated political issue in the UK.
The opposition Reform Party, led by Nigel Farage, proposes abolishing ILR entirely, forcing migrants to reapply every five years.
Reform says the plan would control migration numbers, but critics warn it could destabilise families.
Labour condemned the plan, accusing Reform of threatening long-term residents’ security and wellbeing.
“These measures draw a clear dividing line between Labour and Reform,” the party said in a statement.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the Reform proposal “racist” and said it would “tear the country apart.”
Mahmood’s speech and message
Mahmood will deliver her first Labour conference speech as interior minister, promising to be “tough” on immigration.
She will also urge migrants to achieve high standards in English language proficiency.
The minister will warn that failure to address immigration may push working people towards Farage’s false promises.
Economic focus at Labour conference
Finance Minister Rachel Reeves will also speak at the conference, focusing on Britain’s economic renewal and youth employment.
The government aims to project firmness and fairness, balancing immigration control with recognition of migrant contributions.
Analysts say the Labour proposals target political positioning, offering a tougher stance without the extreme measures of Reform.
Public consultations will allow migrant organisations, business leaders, and advocacy groups to provide feedback on the proposed changes.
Labour hopes the reforms will reassure voters that permanent residency is tied to contribution, responsibility, and integration.
The debate is expected to intensify in the coming months as political parties clash over immigration and residency rules.
Permanent residency will no longer be automatic; it will depend on social, economic, and community engagement by migrants.
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The post UK to tighten migrant rules: work, no benefits, community service now required
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first appeared on Diaspora Digital Media DDM.
