Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Qualifying Period for Settlement

Monday 2 June 2025 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Olly Glover raised concerns about the increased qualifying period for settlement affecting a skilled worker in his constituency.
  • Chris Vince asked the government to consider the impact of the earned settlement scheme on carers, including those from overseas.
  • Lisa Smart inquired about the uncertainty created by the immigration White Paper for refugee families and urged for more ways to facilitate family reunions.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Olly Glover Lib Dem Didcot and Wantage
Immigration Taxation Science & Technology
Context

Kamala moved to the UK in 2021 as a skilled worker in Oxfordshire. She has made significant professional contributions, including developing novel drugs for diseases without current treatments. The proposed increase of the standard qualifying period from five to ten years has caused uncertainty for individuals like Kamala.

Question

Kamala moved to the UK in 2021 as a skilled worker in my Oxfordshire constituency. They worked to discover novel drugs for diseases with no current treatment. They are an additional rate taxpayer and have made many professional and personal ties here. The sudden increase to the qualifying period from five to ten years has plunged hard-working people like Kamala into uncertainty about their future. Will the Minister meet me to understand the impact of the policy not just on workers like Kamala but on the Government’s wider science and research objectives?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Seema Malhotra)

The changes are indeed important. We recognise how important they are to people and will listen to what people tell us in the consultation. After that we will provide details of how the scheme will work, including in respect of any transitional arrangements for those already in the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to meeting with the MP or discussing specific science and research objectives.

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Q2 Chris Vince Labour (Co-op) Harlow
Immigration Care & Healthcare Workers
Context

Emily is a carer in Harlow who has cared for multiple individuals within the community. The proposed earned settlement scheme may impact her and other essential workers from overseas.

Question

My constituent Emily asked me to raise this issue in the House only yesterday, so I am taking the first opportunity to do so. Emily is a carer and has cared for a number of people across the Harlow community. Will the consultation on the earned settlement scheme take into account the hugely important role that carers, sometimes from overseas, do to support the most vulnerable in our communities?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Seema Malhotra)

Indeed, carers, including those who have come from overseas, do important work to support us, our families and our communities. My hon. Friend will recognise that, as I have said, it is important for us to ensure that people’s voices can be heard in the consultation. We recognise that settlement is an important step in integrating and contributing to local communities and families.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide details on how carers' contributions would specifically influence the consultation or scheme outcomes.

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Q3 Lisa Smart Lib Dem Hazel Grove
Immigration Asylum & Refugees
Context

The immigration White Paper may affect refugee families seeking to reunite with their loved ones in the UK through a family reunion route.

Question

Another group for whom the immigration White Paper is creating uncertainty is refugee families. Family reunion is a vital route by which refugees can safely reach the UK, free from the grasps of criminal trafficking gangs. The Government should be looking for more ways to facilitate refugee family reunion, not hindering it. It is unclear how the White Paper’s reforms on English language requirements will apply to refugee family reunion. Will the Minister acknowledge the needs of this unique and vulnerable group? Is she able to provide clarity on the level of English language proficiency that people who apply for refugee family reunion will be expected to have once the reforms are implemented?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Seema Malhotra)

I thank the hon. Member for her question. She will know that in the immigration White Paper we have referenced that we will be looking at reform of the family rules, and we will be consulting on that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific clarity or recognition of refugee needs and future English language requirements.

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