Kemi Badenoch’s Plan to Restrict Migrant Benefits Access

UK Conservatives Propose Ban on Benefit Claiming Migrants

UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has announced plans to reform the country’s immigration policies, aiming to make it more challenging for migrants to attain permanent residency and citizenship. The proposed changes include:

• Extended Residency Requirement: Doubling the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain from five to ten years
• Benefit Restrictions: Barring migrants who have claimed benefits or utilized social housing from obtaining permanent residency.
• Economic Contribution: Requiring applicants to demonstrate they are net contributors to the UK economy and possess a clean criminal record.
• Citizenship Application Timeline: Increasing the period before one can apply for British citizenship from 12 months to five years after gaining indefinite leave to remain, effectively making the total wait time at least 15 years.

Badenoch emphasized that British citizenship should be a privilege granted to those who have shown a genuine commitment to the UK. She stated, “Our country is not a dormitory, it’s our home. The right to citizenship and permanent residency should only go to those who have demonstrated a real commitment to the UK.”

These proposals are part of the Conservative Party’s broader strategy to address concerns about high immigration levels and integration challenges. The party also plans to introduce a binding annual cap on visa numbers to manage migration more effectively.

The proposed changes are expected to be included in amendments to the government’s immigration bill. However, they may face opposition from the Labour Party, which holds a majority in the House of Commons.