Indefinite Leave to Remain 2025-02-24
2025-02-24
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
A recent Centre for Policy Studies report estimates the net lifetime cost as £234 billion for those expected to be granted ILR over the next five years.
There is clearly a cost to doing nothing about the current indefinite leave to remain policy. What is the Minister’s assessment of that cost?
I gently say to the hon. Member that the number of settlement grants grew by almost a third in the final year that his party was in government, compared with 2023. We will take absolutely no lessons from the Tory party and a shadow Home Secretary who completely lost control of our borders, allowing net migration to quadruple to a record high of nearly 1 million while the number of dangerous boat crossings soared.
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Assessment & feedback
The cost assessment requested was not directly addressed; instead, the answerer criticized previous government policies.
Criticized Previous Government
Used Comparative Criticism
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Refugees whose cases prove that they would be at harm if returned home are given indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
Only refugees whose cases prove that they would be at harm if they returned home are given indefinite leave to remain in this country—30,000 people last year. They will not leave the United Kingdom to return to the bombs and the dictators, but without a route to citizenship they will find it harder to get a job to support their families, get a mortgage, or have a say in their local communities. Will the Minister meet me, and other MPs who are concerned about the new guidance on naturalisation, to talk about how we can properly support integration in the UK?
My hon. Friend will know that, for many generations, refugees who have arrived for resettlement in the UK have been able to apply for British citizenship if they meet the conditions, and that continues to be the case. The UK must always do its bit to support those who are fleeing persecution, but we are also clear that we must do all we can to prevent people from making dangerous boat crossings and risking their lives in the arms of criminal gangs.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for a meeting was not addressed; instead, the Minister provided general statements about refugee policy.
Provided General Statement
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
According to the Centre for Policy Studies, over 800,000 migrants from the past five years could soon claim indefinite leave to remain. In NHS care, benefits, social housing and more, that will cost £234 billion—nearly six years of defence spending, or almost all income tax receipts for a year.
As we have heard, according to the Centre for Policy Studies, over 800,000 migrants from the past five years could soon claim indefinite leave to remain. In NHS care, benefits, social housing and more, that will cost £234 billion—nearly six years of defence spending, or almost all income tax receipts for a year. Will the Minister commit to extending the qualifying period for ILR, or will she accept that the consequence of her policy is a liability for the public of hundreds of billions of pounds?
I am still quite flabbergasted by the questions that the Conservatives ask in the House. Their party saw net migration more than quadruple to record levels. The shadow Minister will know that the Prime Minister has also pledged a White Paper on reducing net migration—that was at the end of last year—and work is under way to consider a range of proposals, including how better to support the integration and employability of refugees.
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Assessment & feedback
The commitment requested was not directly addressed; instead, the answerer criticized previous government policies and referenced future work on migration reduction.
Criticized Previous Government
Referenced Future Plans
Response accuracy