Nigel Farage’s proposal to eliminate the primary pathway to citizenship for migrants has been criticized as “morally repugnant” and potentially detrimental to the NHS’s stability. The leader of Reform UK announced intentions to abolish indefinite leave to remain (ILR), putting hundreds of thousands of legally settled individuals in the UK in jeopardy if he assumes power.
In addition to scrapping ILR, Farage plans to prohibit non-UK citizens from accessing benefits and mandate that migrants seeking British citizenship renounce any other citizenship. He aims this policy at approximately 800,000 individuals who are expected to qualify for ILR between 2020 and 2024.
During a recent press conference, Farage highlighted a surge in legal migration, which he referred to as a “Boris wave” during Boris Johnson’s tenure as Prime Minister, leading to a notable increase in net migration post-Brexit. However, Downing Street criticized Reform’s proposals as “unrealistic, unworkable, unfunded,” accusing the party of exacerbating division rather than solving issues.
Unions representing NHS and care workers have strongly condemned the plans, emphasizing the crucial role of overseas staff in sustaining the healthcare system. The potential impact on the NHS workforce was described as catastrophic, with concerns raised about maintaining essential public services without migrant workers.
Farage’s assertion that only UK citizens would be eligible for welfare benefits has raised concerns, especially regarding its implications for individuals under the post-Brexit EU settlement scheme. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, also expressed disapproval, emphasizing the contributions of legally residing individuals and rejecting the idea of deporting them.
Reform UK’s proposal for an ‘acute skills shortage visa’ for national-critical roles, including social care, lacked specifics on capping numbers for such a scheme. Furthermore, doubts were cast on Reform’s financial figures by the Centre for Policies think tank, which disowned claims that the measures could save taxpayers £234 billion.
As the government consults on an immigration white paper, which includes stricter language requirements and regulations for students and social care workers, the discussion around migrant rights and citizenship qualifications continues to evolve. Proposed changes to Universal Credit eligibility periods and settlement qualification periods signal a potential shift in UK immigration policies.
