London: Foreign workers in the United Kingdom will need to wait ten years, instead of five, to qualify for permanent residency. In addition, migrants will need to pass a "series of new tests" to prove their ability to be a good citizen, the Labour government announced this week.
During Labour's annual conference in Liverpool, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said people will have to earn the right to claim indefinite leave to remain in the country, which would then allow them access to certain welfare benefits, along with the ability to work in the UK and a route to citizenship, Bloomberg reported.
The waiting time for a long-term stay application has also been doubled. Foreign nationals will have to wait ten years, instead of five, to apply. They must also meet some set conditions, which range from making national insurance contributions to learning English to a "high standard" and volunteering for local charities. “Because the truth is, across this country, people feel like things are spinning out of control,” she said.
The latest development comes as part of the Keir Starmer government's crackdown on illegal migration into Britain. From digital IDs to deporting illegal migrants, the UK administration has taken several steps towards its agenda.
