LONDON: Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, has announced a significant policy shift aimed at tightening the UK’s immigration system. Under the proposed changes, immigrants would be required to reside in the UK for at least 15 years before becoming eligible for British citizenship.
This includes a ten-year wait before applying for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), up from the current five-year period. Additionally, individuals who have claimed benefits, accessed social housing, or have criminal records would be barred from settling permanently in the UK.
Badenoch emphasized that these measures are designed to ensure that those seeking to make the UK their permanent home have demonstrated a genuine commitment to the country. She stated,
I want to reduce immigration and make living here actually mean something. The policy also proposes that the time required to apply for British citizenship after obtaining ILR be extended from 12 months to five years, effectively increasing the minimum timeframe to 15 years.
Furthermore, individuals who enter the UK illegally or overstay their visas would be permanently barred from obtaining leave to remain or a passport.
These proposed changes are set to be debated in Parliament next week as part of the upcoming Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill. The Conservative Party aims to amend the bill to incorporate these stricter immigration policies.
