MPs to Debate Two ILR Petitions on 2 Feb as Govt Consultation Close on Feb 12

LONDON Feb 1 : MPs will debate two public petitions relating to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) on Monday, 2 February 2025, as the Government’s consultation on reforming the settlement system approaches its closing date on 12 February 2026.

Petition debates on ILR

The first petition, “Protect Legal Migrants: do not implement the 10-Year ILR proposal,” has received more than 106,000 signatures. It calls on the Government to scrap proposals to extend the standard ILR qualifying period from five to ten years, arguing that legal migrants — particularly care workers — came to the UK and built their lives here based on the existing five-year route.

Responding to the petition on 4 December 2025, the Government said the earned settlement consultation is seeking views on whether any increase in the qualifying period should apply to people already in the UK, adding that no decision has yet been taken.

The second petition, “Keep 5-Year ILR and Restrict Access to Benefits for New ILR Holders,” has attracted more than 232,000 signatures. It supports retaining the current five-year route to settlement while limiting access to state benefits for newly granted ILR holders.

In its response, also published on 4 December 2025, the Government said that under proposals set out in the Immigration White Paper, the default settlement qualifying period would double to ten years. It added that views on related measures, including access to benefits, are being sought through the earned settlement consultation.

The debate will be opened by Tony Vaughan MP, a member of the Petitions Committee. MPs from across the House may take part, and a Government minister will respond on behalf of the Government. The debate can be watched live from 4:30pm on Monday, 2 February.

What are petitions debates?

Petitions debates are general debates that allow MPs to raise concerns highlighted by public petitions and question Government ministers. They do not conclude with a vote, and MPs will not decide whether the petition requests should be implemented. Debates are scheduled by the Petitions Committee and consider only e-petitions submitted via the official Parliament petitions website.

Government consultation on ILR reform closes 12 February

Meanwhile, the UK Government’s consultation on reforming Indefinite Leave to Remain, titled “A Fairer Pathway to Settlement,” closes at 11:59pm on 12 February 2026. The Home Secretary has told Parliament that the Government intends to begin implementing changes from April 2026.

Key proposals include:

• A new earned settlement model based on four pillars: character, integration, contribution, and residence

• Increasing the standard ILR qualifying period from 5 to 10 years, and up to 15 years for lower-skilled workers below RQF level 6

• Shorter qualifying periods for migrants who demonstrate strong English proficiency, community participation, or higher tax contributions

• Fast-track settlement for high earners, entrepreneurs, Global Talent and Innovator Founder visa holders (after 3 years), and frontline public service workers (after 5 years)

• Settlement waits of up to 30 years for illegal migrants and visa overstayers

• A 20-year settlement wait for migrants reliant on benefits for more than 12 months, alongside proposals to restrict access to benefits until citizenship

• A requirement for a clean criminal record, with thresholds under review

• Transitional arrangements for migrants already in the UK, to be determined following consultation

The consultation remains open for public responses until 12 February 2026.