Desk Report:
Britain’s Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced a new immigration policy that will tighten the rules for immigrants to stay in the country permanently. She described herself as a “tough home secretary” at the Labour Party’s Liverpool conference, saying that immigrants who want to stay in British society must learn a high level of English, be crime-free, engage in voluntary work in the community and pay into National Insurance alongside their job. At the same time, there will be conditions for not being a beneficiary.
Shabana Mahmood said that some of her decisions will not be liked by many within Labour, but that she is fighting for “her own vision of Britain”. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also expressed his opinion on immigration. Criticizing Nigel Farage’s plan (which called for the abolition of permanent residence rights), Starmer said that deporting legally residing immigrants would tear the country apart. He also called Nigel Farage’s plan ‘racist and immoral’.
Meanwhile, the British government’s immigration plan, led by Shabana Mahmood, is also being criticized. Enver Solomon, head of the British Refugee Council, said that the conditions will not be about the inclusion of refugees but will create problems for the country. Many refugees have contributed to the country as doctors and entrepreneurs. But without state support in the beginning, this would not have been possible.
Praxis head Mini Rahman said that this policy will create two classes in society and that making volunteering mandatory will increase inequality.
Meanwhile, the British government has said that a consultation process will begin soon on this issue. In particular, it has not yet been decided what action will be taken in the case of migrants who have received allowances in the past. There is a possibility that they may be declared ineligible outright or have to wait a long time.
Currently, migrants can apply for permanent residence after five years. But the new proposal will extend this period to 10 years. In her speech, Shabana Mahmud spoke of upholding patriotism as a positive force and highlighted border security and fair immigration as essential for a tolerant Britain.
