Reform UK seeks to end permanent settlement for migrants
Reform UK has unveiled a controversial policy proposal that would abolish the right of migrants to secure permanent residence in the United Kingdom after five years. Instead of gaining Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), migrants would need to reapply for visas every five years and meet stricter requirements.
Under this plan, access to welfare would be limited to British citizens only. Reform UK claims such measures could save the country £234 billion over time, although this figure has already been challenged by economists and dismissed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves as unrealistic. She pointed out that the government is already exploring measures to limit migrant access to welfare.
Party leader Nigel Farage argued that Britain should not serve as “the world’s food bank,” insisting that welfare support should not extend to people coming from across the globe. He acknowledged that these policies would break up families and disrupt lives, but justified it as giving “fair play” back to British citizens.
The proposed policy would apply not only to future migrants but also to many of those already settled under ILR. This could affect hundreds of thousands of people who have integrated into communities, built families, and are contributing to the workforce. For many, the policy would create profound uncertainty and potentially force people to leave the country.
Critics say the retrospective nature of the policy is especially troubling, since it strips away rights that people have already worked hard to earn. There are also warnings that such a move would invite legal challenges, increase social division, and undermine trust in the system.
Farage has suggested that the policy would bring the UK in line with other nations such as the United States and the UAE. The party also intends to introduce new visa schemes focused on entrepreneurs, investors, and specific acute skills shortages. Employers would only be able to recruit a worker from overseas if they also trained a UK worker in the same role.
Reform UK’s announcement highlights their willingness to go further than any other major party on restricting legal migration. Labour ministers have dismissed the financial claims behind the proposals, while Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have both criticised them as unworkable and damaging to the economy.
From a social work and mental health perspective, the policy raises pressing questions about human rights, family life, and the social fabric of communities. Removing settled status from people who have built lives here risks not only destabilising families but also creating conditions of fear, exclusion, and stigma. It is well known that uncertainty over immigration status can fuel mental health challenges, disrupt children’s education, and push vulnerable households into crisis.
An additional political question must be raised. Reform UK’s stance is not only about immigration control; it is also a direct challenge to the Labour government. The party may be positioning itself to force Labour into adopting stricter immigration measures, aligning more closely with Reform’s own rhetoric. Alternatively, this could be a strategic attempt to build momentum and present themselves as the only party willing to take “radical” action, thereby strengthening their chances of winning power in future elections.
What is clear is that the debate has significant consequences not only for migrants but also for the wider society, as it tests how far Britain is prepared to go in redefining fairness, inclusion, and the rights of those who contribute to its communities.
— Commentary by Christian Aboagye, Mental Health Practitioner (NHS), Social Worker, and Governor (Social Care) at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
