STARMER ANNOUNCES THE TIGHTENING OF UK MIGRATION RULES – Many immigrants would have to wait longer before they can claim welfare
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a new salvo of measures to toughen up Britain’s migration system today, saying many immigrants would have to wait longer before getting the status they need to claim welfare.
Starmer, during a news conference in London, stated that every area of the immigration system, work, family and study will be tightened to ensure more control.
Under the changes, automatic settlement and citizenship for people who move to Britain will apply after 10 years, up from five years now, although highly skilled workers, such as nurses, doctors, engineers and AI experts, would be fast-tracked.
The government also said it plans to raise English language requirements to include all adult dependents who will have to show a basic understanding of English. It said the change would help integration and reduce the risks of exploitation.
Net migration – the number of people coming to Britain minus the number leaving – hit a record 906,000 in the year to June 2023, up from 184,000 who arrived in the same period during 2019, when Britain was still in the EU.
