LABOUR have been accused of creating a “two-tier society” with its plans to make it harder for migrants to qualify for indefinite leave to remain.
The proposals would mean migrants would have to have a clean criminal record, volunteer in their community, work, pay tax, and learn English to a high standard to be granted permanent settlement status.
Labour ministers will also double the period it takes to gain indefinite leave to remain from five years to 10.
Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, said ahead of her speech to the Labour conference that migrants must make a “contribution to their wider community and wider society”, not just come to the UK to work and earn a salary.
It comes a day after Prime Minister Keir Starmer described Reform UK’s policy to scrap indefinite leave to remain and essentially deport hundreds of thousands of migrants in the UK legally as “racist”.
Charities representing migrants have criticised the plans, accusing Labour of “pandering” to anti-immigrant rhetoric and warning that the plans will prevent migrants from having equal rights to British citizens.
Mahmood told the party’s conference in Liverpool on Monday that she will change rules to ensure that “contribution to this country is a condition of living here”.
“I know that the British people welcome those who come here and contribute, but contribution is a condition of that welcome,” she told Labour members.
Mahmood confirmed Labour’s plans to launch a consultation to increase the time migrants can apply for leave to remain from five years to 10, adding: “As part of that consultation, I will be proposing a series of new tests.
“Such as being in work, making National Insurance contributions, not taking a penny in benefits, learning English to a high standard, having no criminal record, and finally, that you have truly given back to your community, such as by volunteering your time to a local cause.”
Mahmood said that some migrants will be able to “earn an earlier settlement” than 10 years based, while others “will be forced to wait longer if they are not contributing enough”.
The Home Secretary’s plans, which were trailed in the right-wing press ahead of her speech, prompted outrage from campaigners.
Minnie Rahman, CEO of Praxis, a charity that supports migrants, said: "On the very same day the Prime Minister finally distances himself from Reform UK’s policies, his own Home Secretary announces proposals that would create a two-tier society.
“Labour’s proposed ‘good citizen’ test will only further entrench discrimination, especially against low-income workers, carers, and those with disabilities – many of whom can’t meet these new criteria, despite being fully integrated and active members of their communities.
“This would prevent millions of people who have lived and worked in the UK for years, from ever having equal rights to British people.
“Plus the Home Secretary appears to have bypassed the voluntary sector entirely. Volunteering is – by definition – a choice.
“It’s deeply concerning that the new Home Secretary seems not to grasp that basic principle. Charitable leaders, like myself, will not participate in a scheme that would create discrimination and division in our communities."
Andreea Dumitrache, CEO of 3million, a grassroots organisation supporting EU citizens living in the UK, said: “It's beyond disappointing the Government is pandering once again to anti-migrant rhetoric and are punishing people who have made the UK their home.
“Indefinite leave to remain is a sign of stability in migrants' lives, for many after years and years of precarity. Instead of encouraging people to settle, these additional requirements are making belonging into a transaction.
“Belonging isn't a checklist you can test against. If people can’t benefit from full rights in the UK, then even more will be pushed into exploitation, vulnerable to unscrupulous employers.”
It comes after Starmer said that Reform’s plan to scrap indefinite leave to remain is “racist” and “immoral”, adding: “It needs to be called out for what it is."
However, the SNP and Scottish Greens accused Mahmood of copying Reform’s policies. SNP deputy Westminster leader Pete Wishart said that the announcement showed the “Farage tail is wagging the Labour party dog”.
“The Labour Party is locked in a race to the right-wing bottom with Nigel Farage on immigration, but the truth is people are angry because the UK has been stuck in a doom loop for decades and this latest move by a Labour Government speaks volumes about just how far broken Brexit Britain has fallen,” he said.
“Both Farage and Labour’s plans would threaten the collapse of our NHS and our economy all over again – instead of attacking migrants who staff our NHS, contribute to our economy and strengthen our society, Westminster politicians must face the fact that Brexit broke Britain and Farage was the key architect of that disaster."
“It is a scary time for immigrants in the UK and it seems to be getting worse,” Maggie Chapman, Scottish Greens MSP said.
“It is sickening to see the Westminster parties competing with each other to see who can make life hardest for migrant communities. They are using people’s lives as pawns in their horrible political games with no care for the human cost.
“You do not beat a far-right party like Reform by copying and pandering to them. “What the Home Secretary is proposing would mean families are split apart, and people would be forced to leave jobs and communities that they have lived in for years.”
