The Home Secretary has set out plans for sweeping changes to the rules around Indefinite Leave to Remain, also known as ‘settlement’. Under the ‘earned settlement’ proposal, the standard qualifying period would be raised to 10 years, alongside new mandatory criteria on English language proficiency and minimum earnings.
As an anti-poverty charity, Z2K is particularly concerned about two aspects of the government’s proposal:
- The introduction of a new rule that receiving benefits or housing assistance will lengthen the qualifying period for settlement by 5-10 years
- The extension of ‘no recourse to public funds’ (NRPF) conditions to those with settlement
This briefing considers the extent to which the government’s plan truly achieves its aim of encouraging greater economic contribution among migrant communities, and explores how it interacts with the government’s broader Get Britain Working agenda and plans on supporting people into work.
Z2K's recommendations
- Raise concerns with Home Office ministers about the impact of the proposals to delay settlement for those who access public funds and extend NRPF conditions to those with settlement with Home Office ministers.
- Raise concerns with DWP ministers about the impact the plans will have on the Get Britain Working agenda.