Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has unveiled a tougher immigration policy, proposing that legal migrants should wait a minimum of 10 years before qualifying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), followed by an additional five years before becoming eligible for British citizenship.
Badenoch outlined the proposals in a statement criticising Labour’s approach to immigration, accusing the party of abandoning its earlier commitment to prevent low-paid migrant workers from securing permanent settlement after five years.
She specifically criticised Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood over what she described as a reversal of her position on settlement for low-paid migrants, claiming the potential cost to taxpayers could reach £10 billion.
Badenoch also accused Labour of prioritising welfare spending and political interests over the country’s economic wellbeing, arguing that migrants who are not net contributors should not automatically qualify for permanent settlement and access to taxpayer-funded benefits.
Taking aim at Andy Burnham, Badenoch alleged that Labour’s position had been influenced by internal political considerations and efforts to consolidate support within the party’s left wing ahead of a possible leadership contest.
The Conservative leader said her party would introduce a series of measures aimed at reducing immigration and making the settlement system more restrictive.
Under the proposed policy, migrants would face a minimum 10-year qualifying period for ILR and a further five years before being eligible for British citizenship.
She also proposed restricting access to welfare benefits and social housing for non-citizens, introducing higher salary thresholds for migrants, establishing an annual immigration cap and accelerating the deportation of illegal migrants.
In a particularly significant proposal, Badenoch said a future Conservative government would review and seek to withdraw the ILR status of individuals who were not net contributors, including those granted settlement under what she described as previous rules.
She argued that indefinite leave to remain should no longer guarantee automatic access to welfare benefits.
Badenoch, however, acknowledged that previous Conservative administrations had also mishandled immigration, naming former ministers Suella Braverman, Nadhim Zahawi and Robert Jenrick among those who had served in senior government positions during the period.
She maintained that immigration reductions recorded in recent months were partly the result of policies introduced by the previous Conservative government, although she accused Labour of taking credit for the improvements.
Describing the Conservatives as a party under new leadership and a renewed direction, Badenoch said her administration would offer what she called a costed and comprehensive immigration strategy rather than political rhetoric.
She concluded that the proposed reforms would help reduce low-skilled mass immigration, strengthen the economy and ensure that access to permanent settlement and citizenship reflected migrants’ contributions to Britain.
