Labour Party leader Keir Starmer strongly criticized Reform UK’s proposal to eliminate indefinite leave to remain (ILR) for lawful immigrants in the UK. Starmer condemned the plan as racist and immoral, emphasizing that it would divide the country. In response to Reform’s intentions, Starmer asserted that targeting legally settled individuals, who are integral to the nation, would have detrimental consequences.
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, announced its intention to revoke ILR if they win the election, potentially jeopardizing the status of around 800,000 people who arrived between 2020 and 2024. The surge in legal migration during Boris Johnson’s tenure, particularly among non-EU citizens, has been noted, although numbers declined following stricter immigration regulations.
Healthcare unions have raised concerns about the impact of this policy on the NHS and care sector, highlighting the significant number of overseas staff currently employed in these sectors. Zia Yusuf, head of policy at Reform UK, defended the party’s stance by emphasizing the need for migrants to contribute to society and restricting welfare access to British citizens only.
The debate surrounding immigration policies continues to be a point of contention, with political leaders and advocacy groups expressing contrasting views on the issue.