UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced a major overhaul of the British immigration system, calling it “broken” and in need of urgent reform. The proposed changes include stricter English language requirements for all visa applicants and their adult dependents, alongside a significant increase in the wait time before migrants can apply for settled status.
Under the new framework, migrants would no longer be eligible for permanent settlement after five years. Instead, they must remain in the UK for a full decade before applying for settled status and starting the path to citizenship. A fast-track route will be introduced for critical occupations such as nursing, engineering, and artificial intelligence roles.
Labour’s reform plan emphasizes integration, with English language proficiency now mandatory for adult dependents—a requirement not previously enforced. Officials argue that stronger language skills will help migrants better integrate into British society and reduce vulnerability to exploitation.
Ahead of the formal release of Labour’s detailed migration rules, Starmer described the future system as “controlled, selective, and fair.” He added, “When people come to our country, they should also commit to integration and to learning our language.”
However, the proposals have sparked criticism. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp dismissed Labour’s approach as ineffective, calling it a “joke,” and urged for a legally binding cap on overall migration. Others have warned that strict language requirements could divide families and disadvantage applicants with fewer educational resources.
Despite these concerns, research from the University of Oxford’s Migration Observatory shows most migrants already place a high value on English skills. In 2021, 90% of surveyed migrants reported being able to speak English well, with only 1% unable to speak it at all. However, limited language proficiency remains a barrier to employment and social mobility.
Labour also intends to increase the skill threshold for workers entering through the Skilled Worker Visa route, raising the bar from A-level qualifications to graduate-level education. In addition, the party plans to eliminate the recruitment of foreign care workers, requiring firms to prioritize British applicants or renew current foreign workers’ visas. This measure could reduce low-skilled migration by as much as 50,000 in the coming year.
Experts warn the ten-year settlement pathway could make the UK one of the most restrictive high-income countries for migrants. Madeleine Sumption, Director of the Migration Observatory, suggested that while the changes may boost visa fee revenue, they could also delay access to full rights for many residents.
The Labour Party’s proposals are expected to be outlined in full in its forthcoming Immigration White Paper. The government is seeking to balance tighter migration control with ongoing demand for skilled labour, particularly in sectors facing shortages.
Labour’s shift comes amid political pressure following Reform UK’s recent electoral gains, as well as criticism from opposition parties. The Liberal Democrats have accused both Labour and the Conservatives of mismanaging the immigration system, while the Conservatives support ending foreign care worker recruitment but continue to push for an official migration cap.
With implementation unlikely before 2026 due to the need for new legislation, the proposed changes mark a clear pivot in Labour’s immigration stance—one that prioritizes control and integration over rapid settlement and family reunification.
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