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Indefinite Leave to Remain
02 February 2026
Lead MP
Tony Vaughan
Folkestone and Hythe
Lab
Responding Minister
Mike Tapp
Tags
ImmigrationHousingEmployment
Word Count: 27733
Other Contributors: 61
At a Glance
Tony Vaughan raised concerns about indefinite leave to remain in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The lead MP asks the Government not to implement changes retrospectively, maintaining trust with those already settled under existing rules. He also calls for a specific NHS impact assessment before proceeding with policy changes.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The debate concerns e-petitions 727372 and 746363 with over 330,000 signatures. It addresses the Government's proposal to change rules around indefinite leave to remain (ILR), extending wait times from five years to ten or fifteen for certain sectors like social care. The lead MP highlights personal anecdotes about his mother who came to work in UK hospitals and gained ILR after five years. He emphasises that retrospective changes would be unfair on people who have moved their lives here based on previous agreements.
Abtisam Mohamed
Lab
Sheffield Central
Congratulates a colleague and argues that proposed immigration reforms are deeply unfair and unjustified for people who accepted jobs, bought homes, enrolled their children in schools, and planned futures on the understanding of settlement after five years. Mentioned the differing impacts of ILR qualification rules on members of the same family and highlighted potential risks for domestic violence victims.
Adrian Ramsay
Green
Waveney Valley
Local providers tell me that the proposed changes could drive 10% to 20% of people out of the care sector. The Government must do a proper impact assessment on the care sector and address the fact that different criteria for allowing settlement routes could punish the sector, which is already struggling.
Alex Sobel
Lab/Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
Social care workers on skilled worker visas have expressed concerns about retrospective changes from five-year to 10-year ILR programmes, raising issues of fairness and the need for transitional arrangements.
Anneliese Dodds
Lab/Co-op
Oxford East
Asked for clarification on migrants accessing social housing and firm elements of the Government’s proposals.
Apsana Begum
Lab
Poplar and Limehouse
Asks about the publication of impact assessments and how the Home Office reconciles the potential impacts on communities with government commitments. Urges the Government to pause implementation and undertake an independent assessment. Addressed issues related to the increasing settlement period that could lead to exploitation by tying individuals to one employer.
Ayoub Khan
Ind
Birmingham Perry Barr
Represents a constituency proud of its diversity and argues that the Government's proposed changes to indefinite leave to remain threaten to up-end the lives of many in his area, hitting hard those who contribute enormously to society. Challenged the minister's language as scaremongering, arguing that most migrants are hard-working citizens and such rhetoric is unjust to migrant communities.
Barry Gardiner
Lab
Welcomed the Government's assurance not to change the status of those who already have settled status but expressed concern over retrospective application of new rules, which would impact families in his constituency who have lawfully lived and worked for many years. Asked Matt Vickers to recall that between 2022 and 2024, his Government made available 616,000 visas for the care sector despite the number of spaces being deemed to be between 6,000 and 40,000. Inquired if firm changes were also part of the consultation document, questioning why they are being announced now. Asked about the subjective nature of volunteering requirements and who will certify volunteer work. Asked about the irony of former ministers responsible for large-scale immigration now criticizing it, questioning how previous decisions will affect current reforms.
Clapham and Brixton Hill
Cites data from the Royal College of Nursing indicating that 60% of internationally educated staff without ILR are at risk of leaving if wait times extend, supporting the lead MP's argument.
Brian Leishman
Lab
Alloa and Grangemouth
He discussed the unequal nature of differentiating between regular and irregular arrivals, highlighting that claiming asylum is a human right. He mentioned over 2,000 children from refugee families in temporary accommodation in Glasgow due to underfunding.
Cameron Thomas
Con
Torridge and West Devon
Asked Matt Vickers to give way on the point of fairness regarding immigration policies. Did not make a speech but requested to give way during Minister's statement.
Cat Eccles
Lab
Stourbridge
Opposes proposals to retroactively extend qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain, warning that it will create insecurity and disruption for migrants who have lived in the UK for at least half a decade.
Charlie Maynard
Con
Witney
Describes a constituent's experience of long, unpredictable working hours in the care sector under threat from employers who abuse visa status to maintain control over workers, creating an indentured servitude situation. Addressed concerns about entrenching exploitation through a longer settlement period, highlighting risks of being tied to single employment.
Ely and East Cambridgeshire
Writes to Home Office urging certainty on indefinite leave to remain, highlighting fears among constituents about the status of spouses and dependants under new rules. Urges government to rule out any retrospective application of changes.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
Concerns were raised about the proposed changes damaging the country's ability to attract and retain talent, with emphasis on the reliance of health and social care on overseas workers. The MP highlighted the economic benefits and contributions of immigrants in sectors like healthcare and academia.
Euan Stainbank
Lab
Falkirk
Around 25% of social care workers in Scotland come from other countries, many who have diligently taken care of families. The current pay offers are often limited to the living wage, which is inadequate and insufficient for attracting domestic workers reliably.
Gareth Thomas
Lab/Co-op
Harrow West
Echos concerns of Hong Kong community in Harrow about their status and route to indefinite leave to remain, noting that changes will make it harder to attract key staff. Also calls for transitional protections.
Epsom and Ewell
Raises concerns about the European Community association agreement route, questioning whether changes to indefinite leave to remain properly consider those on specific routes like ECAA.
Ian Lavery
Lab
Blyth and Ashington
There is a real issue with certificates of sponsorship because of abuse and exploitation. Migrant workers, particularly care workers are living under conditions that resemble indentured labour. Discussed issues surrounding the increasing settlement period and its potential for exploiting individuals by tying them to one employer.
Ian Sollom
LD
St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire
He agreed that settlement should be earned through contribution but criticised the proposed system as fundamentally misunderstanding what settlement is for, pointing out complex reductions based largely on salary.
Iqbal Mohamed
Ind
Dewsbury and Batley
Described the concerns of a Nigerian community member named Uzoamaka, who works in the NHS and fears losing security and stability due to proposed immigration changes. He urged Labour Members to oppose such changes that would extend indefinite leave to remain and unjustly penalise those on low incomes.
James Naish
Con
Rushcliffe
Suggested considering rule changes specifically for Ukrainian refugees to provide them stability and security.
Jamie Stone
LD
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Offers intervention to support the call for parliamentary process through debate and amendment if changes are proposed via statutory instrument.
Jas Athwal
Lab
Ilford South
Highlights that Ilford South ranks second in petition signatories calling for maintaining five-year ILR route, urging not to change rules mid-game.
Jayne Kirkham
Lab/Co-op
Truro and Falmouth
The changes will be applied retrospectively, potentially leaving healthcare assistants and care workers in my constituency facing 15 years of uncertainty.
John McDonnell
Lab
Hayes and Harlington
Highlights the tragic cases where families have settled but may be denied their future if proposed changes go ahead. Warns of social care collapse in constituencies and calls for proper legal process rather than a statutory instrument.
Josh Newbury
Lab
Cannock Chase
Acknowledged the thoughtful opening of the debate by the hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe, expressing gratitude to petitioners enabling the discussion on settlement system proposals.
Kerry McCarthy
Lab
Bristol East
My hon. Friend highlighted the need for a fair system that rewards contribution and provides clarity for families planning their lives around indefinite leave to remain after five years. Asked about the timing of the introduction of proposed changes, concerned about whether it might be rushed given past experiences with consultations.
Kim Johnson
Lab
Liverpool Riverside
More than 1,000 of my constituents signed the petition. The proposal is unfair and dehumanising; it makes people in the system fear for their future as they cannot progress or move beyond their original job codes.
Kirsteen Sullivan
Lab/Co-op
Bathgate and Linlithgow
Jill, a social care worker on a health and social care visa, faces low pay, unsafe workloads, and fear of speaking up due to potential visa risks. The speaker urged the Minister to protect those already on the five-year route from retrospective changes.
Lee Pitcher
Lab
Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme
Care workers are doing demanding, often lower paid but essential work: caring for our parents, grandparents and some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Removing certainty from that workforce risks deepening existing shortages and undermining continuity of care.
Lewis Atkinson
Lab
Sunderland Central
The proposed changes may reduce integration by limiting ILR to those who stay beyond 10 years, trapping families in a situation where they cannot pay UK university fees and might face higher fees at home.
Mark Sewards
Con
Leeds South West and Morley
Discussed the impact of changes in ILR qualification rules, particularly on individuals involved in situations of domestic violence.
Martin Rhodes
Lab
Glasgow North
The speaker met with a Unison representative who discussed the campaign for fairer visa rules for migrant care workers, highlighting the need to recognise and value their contribution and address exploitative power dynamics between employers and employees. Addressed the issue of the increasing settlement period and its potential to lead to exploitation by tying individuals to one employer.
Mary Kelly Foy
Lab
City of Durham
The Government’s proposal to double from five years to 10 years the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain is not just a technical policy change. It represents a broken promise to people who did exactly what was asked of them. Raised concerns about entrenching exploitation through a longer settlement period, highlighting the risk tied to single employment.
Matt Vickers
Con
Stockton West
The House has had a great many opportunities to discuss indefinite leave to remain and its impact on people, including debates in this Chamber on consequential matters such as those working in the healthcare sector and BNOs. Many Members have made impassioned arguments about what they believe would make a fair system.
Melanie Onn
Lab
Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes
Proposed changes raise real anxiety among people who entered the system in good faith under existing rules. Moving goalposts mid-match would be unfair, undermining public trust in a coherent immigration system.
Mike Martin
Con
Tunbridge Wells
He met with 200 members of the Paddock Wood Hong Kong community expressing worry over changes to their pathway to settlement. He raised concerns about language and earnings requirements affecting elderly people and highly skilled individuals. Talked about the differing impacts of ILR qualification rules and mentioned potential risks for victims of domestic violence.
Mike Tapp
Con
Crewe and Nantwich
Responded to concerns about the subjectivity of volunteering requirements, stating that details are still under consultation. Responded to concerns about reliance on international workers, emphasizing ongoing work within the Home Office to attract necessary workers while reducing dependency. Mentioned a £500 million investment in fair pay agreements for care workers.
Adnan Hussain
Ind
Blackburn
Disagreed with the Minister's stance, highlighting hard-working immigrants and raised concerns about proposed policies affecting them.
Orkney and Shetland
Highlights the acute need for settlement policies in island communities to support local recruitment needs, opposing extended periods of uncertainty.
Slough
Raises concerns about the negative impact on healthcare workers in his constituency and agrees that retrospective implementation would be unfair.
Twickenham
Concerned about childcare costs when one parent needs to work to meet the £12,500 income threshold for permanent residence.
Naushabah Khan
Lab
Gillingham and Rainham
The change to this rule could also have an impact on children. We cannot overlook the fact that changing it after the fact plunges families into uncertainty.
Oliver Ryan
Lab/Co-op
Burnley
Supports Charlie Maynard's argument by highlighting similar experiences of exploitation and poor working conditions faced by his constituents, emphasizing the need for protection against employer abuse.
Olly Glover
LD
Didcot and Wantage
Noted but no specific contribution provided due to time constraints.
Pam Cox
Lab
Colchester
We need a migration system that is robust and fair because we are a state that defends and cherishes a rights-based order.
Glasgow West
Ferguson discussed the undervaluation of care workers and argued that a person's value should not be measured solely by their salary but also by their contribution to society. She noted that 31% of health and care sector employees are from overseas. Expressed concerns over the increasing settlement period, which could entrench exploitation by being tied to a single employer.
Perran Moon
Lab
Camborne and Redruth
Moon highlighted anxiety among constituents about the change from five to 10 years for indefinite leave to remain. He emphasized the importance of honouring agreements made with those already in the UK.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and North Perthshire
Asked for confirmation that any changes will be voted on by the whole House, allowing Members to express their opposition.
Rachael Maskell
Lab/Co-op
York Central
Maskell argued that breaking promises to immigrants undermines trust in society. She criticized the White Paper for misdiagnosing issues and creating insecurity, which could harm public services and the economy.
Sarah Hall
Lab/Co-op
Warrington South
Many skilled professionals who legally came to the UK face uncertainty regarding their future status under new immigration rules. These individuals kept services running during the pandemic and contribute significantly to the economy, yet now they live with anxiety and despair.
Shockat Adam
Ind
Leicester South
The proposed policy undermines integration based on values of decency and respect. It also contradicts the Prime Minister's pledge for an immigration system rooted in compassion and dignity, and it is morally bankrupt as it does not deliver fiscal responsibility. Discussed the increasing settlement period and its potential for exploiting individuals by tying them to one employer.
Steve Witherden
Lab
Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr
Opposes proposals to extend timelines for route to settlement, warning that the changes could lead up to 46,000 nursing staff leaving the UK. Asks what assessment has been made of impact on staffing levels in public services. Discussed concerns about entrenching exploitation through a longer settlement period, highlighting the risk of being tied to a single employer.
Questioned if there was evidence about people switching from not claiming benefits to claiming benefits due to new policies.
Tracy Gilbert
Lab
Edinburgh North and Leith
The MP discussed the positive impact of immigration on society and economy, highlighting that many skilled workers contribute financially to the state. Concerns were raised about fairness and retrospection in policy changes.
Tulip Siddiq
Lab
Hampstead and Highgate
Shares personal stories of constituents facing uncertainty due to proposed changes, emphasizing that retrospective legislation goes against initial promises made upon arrival as refugees.
Uma Kumaran
Lab
Stratford and Bow
Discusses concerns of a pharmacy dispenser from India about recruitment and retention in health and social care roles, emphasizing the importance of protecting sectors reliant on international workers.
Harpenden and Berkhamsted
Adds voices of Hong Kong BNOs who feel their lives are in limbo due to changes, expressing concern about the impact on those trying to build a life under current rules.
Warinder Juss
Lab
Wolverhampton West
Agrees with the principle against retrospectivity in law, citing common legal standards and ethical implications for those contributing positively to society. One of my constituents, Subhranshu Kumar, is a highly skilled worker completing his master’s degree in the UK and is now 14 months away from reaching his settled status but finds himself in limbo.
Will Forster
LD
Woking
Opposed retrospective changes and highlighted issues with childcare costs and income thresholds. Raised concerns about transitional arrangements for people already in the UK under the consultation.
Yuan Yang
Lab
Earley and Woodley
Agrees that stability is essential for those already here who decided to come to the UK and bring their families over based on a promise of stable educational futures, urging consideration for impact assessments.
Government Response
Mike Tapp
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department
Government Response
Acknowledged the importance of the debate and thanked all contributors. Stressed that rule changes related to earned settlement are firm, while other aspects such as transitional arrangements are subject to consultation until February 12th. Emphasised that the proposal aims to ensure contributions and integration for those seeking to settle in the UK, not a deportation policy. Highlighted the impact of high immigration on public services, housing, and community cohesion with figures including social housing waiting list increases and future eligibility for settled status. Discussed the process of consultation for volunteering requirements, increased investment in skills and training for domestic workforce, raised the skills threshold back to RQF level 6, and considered changes based on Migration Advisory Committee reviews. Minister Mike Tapp addressed concerns about impact assessments, care workers' reliance on international recruitment, sector-wide visas, and benefits access. He mentioned a £500 million investment in fair pay agreements for adult care workers and acknowledged the need to balance fairness with public spending responsibilities.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.