Under my new leadership, the Conservative Party is making an important change to our policy on immigration.
Our immigration system is BROKEN. We need to bring net immigration down. Our public services are not coping with the number of people they serve. Housing supply is stretched to breaking point. And newcomers are not necessarily integrating meaningfully into our society.
In November 2024, I set out the first step in our plan for immigration. I acknowledged that numbers are far too high and that, when hopefully we return to Government, we need a numerical cap on those coming to the UK.
Today, I am setting out the second step in our plan.
For too long, the right to remain in the UK has been seen as an automatic entitlement. It has become a conveyor belt to citizenship, when UK citizenship should be a privilege that is earned through commitment and contribution to our country. I have always said that the UK is not a dormitory or a hotel: it is our home.
Next week, Labour is bringing an immigration and borders Bill which actually makes it easier for illegal immigrants to gain UK citizenship. We need to put a stop to this now. Not in 5 years’ time. Now.
So the second step in our plan is proposing these key changes:
- Newcomers should wait 10 years, instead of 5, before they can apply to stay indefinitely, under the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) scheme.
- After that, it should take 5 years, not just 12 months, to apply for British Citizenship.
- Those who have claimed benefits or housing aid while on a work visa should not be allowed to stay indefinitely. We believe that everyone who comes here should contribute more than they take out.
- Applicants must not have a criminal record.
We are pushing for these changes in Parliament because we believe they are essential for the future of our country. You can watch our video explaining why these changes are so important here:
Immigration has been far too high for far too long.
For several decades, no party has delivered serious reductions in immigration, despite the country voting for such reductions time and time again.
But the Conservative Party is now under new leadership. I and the entire Party are working to rebuild your trust.
We are starting by showing we are committed to practical plans that will cut immigration. Not more of the same old failings which have let the British people down so badly.
And Labour may talk tough on this issue, but their new Bill will just make things even worse:
- Labour's new law will make it easier for illegal immigrants to stay in the UK and even get citizenship.
- And they’ve watered down our reforms from last year. The same reforms that reduced net migration for the first time in years.
I know that, rightly, the Conservative Party has a lot of work to do to regain your trust. By pressuring Labour to do the right thing, we are proving that we are back at the service of you, the British people.
Sincerely, Kemi.
