On Monday, Shabana Mahmood will announce that criminals and those unable to speak English to a high standard will be denied permission to settle in the UK. These proposals aim to counter the growing electoral challenge from Reform UK.
Positioning herself as a “tough home secretary,” Mahmood will state that applicants for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) must show they have integrated and contributed to society through national insurance payments and voluntary work, without relying on benefits.
She will suggest that some individuals could live in the UK for a decade and still be refused settlement if they fail to meet new criteria, while others may be fast-tracked. A consultation on these plans will begin later this year.
The proposals are seen as a direct reply to Nigel Farage’s announcement last week that Reform would eliminate ILR for non-EU citizens and prevent them from claiming benefits, including those already granted the status. On Sunday, Keir Starmer condemned Farage’s plans as “racist” and “immoral.”
Labour emphasized a clear distinction between the government’s approach and Reform UK’s pledge to revoke settled status for all non-EU nationals.
Currently, indefinite leave to remain is typically granted after five years if basic conditions are met. It is a crucial step toward British citizenship and allows access to benefits. In a white paper published in May, the government proposed extending this standard qualifying period to a baseline of 10 years.
Mahmood will outline several proposed conditions for obtaining ILR, including being employed, not receiving benefits, learning English to a high standard, having a spotless criminal record, and contributing to local communities.
Details will be refined through consultation, but Mahmood is expected to set a low threshold for which criminal offenses affect ILR eligibility, excluding motoring offenses. Some crimes would lead to automatic disqualification, while others could delay ILR by additional years, according to sources.
Mahmood believes that after several years in the UK, ILR seekers should have a high level of English proficiency. She will note that some individuals, based on their contributions or skills, could be granted settlement earlier, while those who contribute less might receive ILR later or not at all.
Mahmood will describe herself as a “tough Labour home secretary, fighting for a vision of this country that is distinctly our own.” Addressing concerns among Labour members about adopting hard-right policies, she will warn that if the government fails, working people may turn away from Labour and seek comfort in Farage’s “false promises.”
Labour officials have grown more confident in their ability to challenge Farage on immigration. Those in No. 10 and Mahmood’s office believe the Reform leader made a strategic error with his recent statements.People who already have indefinite leave to remain (ILR) would need to reapply for new visas under stricter rules—a policy seen as unpopular and unfair. In a personal part of her speech, Mahmood will discuss her parents’ arrival in the UK and why accepting migrants should be based on their contributions to local communities. She will also share her own experience of being shoplifted from while working at her family’s corner shop as a child, explaining how it motivated her to tackle street-level crime.
Reform has proposed ending ILR and making people reapply for visas every five years, affecting hundreds of thousands already in the UK. Applicants would need to meet new requirements, such as a higher salary threshold and better English skills.
The Conservatives intend to prevent new arrivals from settling permanently if they claim benefits, receive social housing, or have a criminal record.
Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, warned that Labour’s plan to penalize benefit claimants could create more obstacles for refugees. He noted that refugees want to integrate and contribute but often need initial support, especially since most asylum seekers are barred from working and rely on state aid. Punishing them for needing help, he argued, sends the message that they can never secure a permanent home in Britain, hindering integration.
Recent YouGov polling of 13,000 people over the past three weeks predicts a hung parliament if an election were held now, with Reform UK winning 311 seats—15 short of a majority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about a pledge to require a high standard of English for those seeking leave to remain written in a clear and natural tone
Basic Questions The What and Why
1 What is this new pledge about
Its a proposal that would require people applying to settle in the UK to meet a higher standard of English than is currently needed
2 What is leave to remain
Leave to remain is the official permission to live in the UK for a long period Indefinite Leave to Remain is the final settlement status often called permanent residency
3 Why is a higher English standard being proposed
The main reasons given are to help newcomers integrate better into British society improve their job prospects and ensure they can access public services like healthcare and education more effectively
4 Isnt there already an English requirement
Yes there is Currently for most settlement applications you need to prove a knowledge of English at level B1 on the CEFR scale This pledge is about raising that required level
Intermediate Questions The How and Who
5 What level of English would be required
While the exact level hasnt been officially set a high standard typically refers to level B2 on the international CEFR scale This is a step up from the current B1 requirement
6 Who would this affect
It would affect most adults applying for settlement in the UK who are not exempt
7 Are there any exemptions
Yes exemptions usually exist for certain groups such as
People aged 65 or over
Those with a longterm physical or mental condition that prevents them from meeting the requirement
Citizens of majorityEnglishspeaking countries
8 How would I prove my English level
You would likely prove it the same way as now by taking a secure English language test from an approved provider or by having a degree that was taught in English
Advanced Practical Questions
9 Whats the real difference between B1 and B2 English
