LONDON, July 13: The UK government is preparing to reverse a controversial immigration proposal that would have required many post-Brexit migrants to wait 10 years instead of five before becoming eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), according to senior government officials.
The expected policy shift follows strong political intervention from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and other regional leaders, who argued that applying the tougher rule retrospectively would unfairly affect migrants who entered the UK under previous visa regulations.
If approved, the change could allow around 1.6 million migrants—including thousands of Bangladeshis and their family members—to remain eligible to apply for permanent settlement after five years of lawful residence.
The original proposal would have affected migrants who arrived between 2021 and 2024, extending their qualifying period for settlement to 10 years. Critics warned that the move would create uncertainty for workers in essential sectors, particularly social care, where overseas staff make up a significant share of the workforce.
Officials indicated that the Home Office is in the final stages of removing the retrospective elements of the reform, with formal guidance expected earlier than initially planned.
The policy review comes amid growing concerns over national security and social cohesion. Senior counterterrorism and intelligence officials have warned that hostile foreign states are exploiting Britain’s immigration debate through coordinated online disinformation campaigns aimed at increasing social division and undermining confidence in public institutions.
While independent fiscal assessments have cautioned that granting permanent residency to a large number of lower-paid workers could increase long-term public spending, ministers are said to be prioritising labour market stability, maintaining staffing levels in essential public services, and protecting national institutions from foreign interference.
