Nigel Farage’s proposal to eliminate the primary path to citizenship for migrants has sparked concerns about its potential impact on the NHS. The leader of Reform UK has vowed to abolish indefinite leave to remain (ILR) if his party comes to power, potentially jeopardizing the status of hundreds of thousands of legally settled individuals in the UK.
Farage also outlined plans to restrict non-UK citizens from claiming benefits and require migrants seeking British citizenship to renounce any other citizenship they hold. He specifically targeted approximately 800,000 individuals eligible for ILR between 2020 and 2024.
Addressing reporters, Farage referred to a surge in legal migration during Boris Johnson’s tenure as Prime Minister, leading to a notable increase in net migration post-Brexit. Downing Street criticized Reform’s proposals as unrealistic and divisive, emphasizing the importance of migrant workers in sustaining essential services like the NHS.
Unions representing healthcare workers condemned the plans, highlighting the critical role of overseas staff in the NHS. They warned that implementing such policies could have catastrophic consequences, resulting in severe staff shortages and the collapse of public services.
Reform mentioned the possibility of introducing an ‘acute skills shortage visa’ for vital roles, including social care, but provided no specifics on capping numbers for this program. Additionally, doubts emerged regarding the cost-saving claims associated with the proposals, as figures from a think tank contradicted Reform’s estimates.
Farage’s assertion that only UK citizens would be eligible for welfare raised concerns, particularly regarding individuals covered by the post-Brexit EU settlement scheme. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, condemned the threats of deportation against legally residing individuals and emphasized their contributions to the community.
Amidst these debates, the government is reviewing immigration policies, considering measures such as stricter language requirements, limitations on overseas recruitment for social care, and extended qualifying periods for settlement and citizenship. Discussions also include potential delays in accessing Universal Credit and stricter criteria for permanent citizenship applications.
The announcement coincides with ongoing consultations on immigration reform led by Keir Starmer’s government. As the debate continues, the future of immigration policies in the UK remains a topic of significant concern and scrutiny.