In a bold and contentious move, Reform UK has unveiled plans to abolish the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) status, a decision that could jeopardise the residency of hundreds of thousands of legal migrants in the UK. Party leader Nigel Farage claims this radical shift would save the country over £200 billion, although the credibility of these financial projections has been met with scepticism from various quarters.
A New Approach to Immigration
Reform UK is proposing sweeping changes to the immigration framework, which includes the establishment of a new deportation agency reminiscent of the US’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Zia Yusuf, the party’s home affairs spokesperson, revealed plans for this agency to have the capacity to detain up to 24,000 individuals at once. Alongside this, the proposal includes mandatory home searches for those referred to the Prevent counter-terrorism programme and a ban on the conversion of churches into mosques.
Farage’s rhetoric positions this policy as a counteraction to what he describes as the “Boris wave”—the influx of approximately 800,000 migrants facilitated by relaxed immigration rules instituted during Boris Johnson’s premiership. He claims these individuals will become a significant burden on public services, further fuelling the rationale behind Reform’s proposals.
The Financial Claims Under Scrutiny
The party’s assertion that the ILR reforms could result in £234 billion in savings has come under fire. This figure, derived from a report by the Centre for Policy Studies, has since been retracted due to disputes regarding its validity. Critics point out the lack of transparency in how these savings are calculated, questioning the methodology and suggesting that the figures might misrepresent the economic impact of migrants who contribute significantly to the UK economy.
The reality is more nuanced. For instance, the alleged savings would average around £2.9 billion annually over an 80-year lifespan, a stark contrast to the headline figure of £234 billion. Furthermore, many of the migrants targeted by these reforms are unlikely to cease claiming benefits, given their entitlement under the EU Settlement Scheme.
The Human Cost of Policy Changes
The proposed changes would not only affect future migrants but also put the estimated 430,000 individuals currently holding ILR in a precarious position. Under Reform’s initiative, these individuals would be required to reapply under a new visa regime with significantly stricter criteria, including an elevated salary threshold of around £60,000—almost double the median salary in the UK. Access to public services, including the NHS, would also become restricted, adding to the anxiety surrounding this policy shift.
Critics across the political spectrum have decried the proposals as “morally wrong,” warning that they could lead to family separations and further exacerbate the plight of vulnerable communities. With Labour also proposing tougher restrictions on ILR—raising the residency requirement to ten years—there is a growing consensus that immigration policy is becoming a central battleground in British politics.
Why it Matters
The implications of Reform UK’s proposed immigration overhaul extend far beyond mere policy adjustments; they threaten to reshape the social fabric of the UK. As the country grapples with the complexities of its post-Brexit identity, the potential deportation of long-standing residents raises urgent questions about fairness, human rights, and the value of diversity in British society. With public sentiment shifting and economic realities in dispute, the conversation around immigration and its impact on national welfare is likely to intensify in the coming months.
