New Enquiry Opened by UK Govt on Changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain Rules: Submit Evidence by Dec 2

LONDON Oct 21: The UK government has announced major changes to eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as settlement, and is planning to consult on the proposed changes later this year. The purpose of this inquiry is to evaluate the evidence for, and potential impact of, the planned changes to inform and feed into the new policy as it is being developed.

The enquiry is to solicit replies about the proposed changes and on how the new rules on qualifying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) will affect both businesses, organisations and individuals.

Take some time to read the Call for Evidence which outlines the questions they are wanting to be addressed. It’s worth noting that not all these questions might be relevant to individuals, the questions relevant to your situation should be answered regardless in detail. There is a question which explicitly addresses existing migrant households in the UK and the impact of these changes on them – this is to be answered in detail for sure.

Please encourage your managers or other employees in your organisations to answer the Call for Evidence detailing how these changes will disrupt existing staffing and push contributing employees into deep distress and uncertainty. Anyone who you think is remotely sympathetic to this cause should be encouraged to contribute to this enquiry.

Help and support
If you need help submitting your evidence, contact the Home Affairs Committee by email at homeaffcom@parliament.uk, or by phone on 020 7219 3440 (general) | 020 7219 8430 (media enquiries)

What is the Enquiry About
The Home Affairs Committee has launched a new inquiry to examine the Government’s proposals to reform the eligibility criteria for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is an immigration status that allows immigrants to settle permanently in the UK. Currently, the standard waiting time to be eligible for ILR is five years.

ILR allows the recipient to live and work in the UK and provides access to public funds such as benefits or tax credits. Someone with ILR status can apply for citizenship after 12 months.

The Government has announced plans to make major changes to the eligibility criteria for ILR. It has argued that changes will help ensure that immigrants make a proportionate contribution to the UK before they are granted the benefits associated with settlement.

Proposed measures include extending the standard period for qualifying for ILR from 5 to 10 years.

Immigrants making a contribution to the UK economy and society would have a shorter route to settlement under a “points based system”.

The Government has indicated that factors to be considered will include being in work, making National Insurance contributions, and contributing to the local community, such as through volunteering.

Successful applicants would also need to demonstrate a higher fluency in English than is currently required. The Government has announced a consultation on the proposals.

In this new inquiry, the Home Affairs Committee will examine the evidence base for making changes to the Indefinite Leave to Remain criteria and their potential impact.

This will include how such proposals would affect current immigration levels, as well as the broader impact on the economy, integration and migrant households.

Deadline for submissions is 2 December

Written submissions are invited on the following questions. Find out how to submit evidence here. The deadline for submissions is 2 December.

Potential impact of changes to pathways to settlement
What evidence is there on the effect that pathways to settlement have on immigration and rates of settlement?
What is the likely impact of longer routes to settlement on businesses and employers, including international recruitment of higher-skilled workers?
What is the likely impact of longer routes and stricter requirements for settlement on migrant households already in the UK? This could include:
– the financial and economic impact, including access to benefits; and
– the personal and social impact.

What potential effect could changes to eligibility for settlement have on integration?
What evidence is there from other countries on the above issues?
How the new earned settlement rules could work
How should “long-term contribution” to the UK be defined and quantified, when considering pathways to settlement? This could include how the following elements should be defined and weighted:
– social and community contributions; and
– fiscal and economic contributions.

What exemptions should there be to the new rules?
How have other countries applied contribution-based systems?