Immigration: Earned Settlement

John McDonnell Excerpts

Monday 2nd November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Shabana Mahmood]

I will repeat for the hon. Member an answer that I have given many times, including to the Home Affairs Committee. I profoundly disagree with the hon. Member’s point: it is a long-established principle that the rules that apply to an application are those that are in place at the point of decision, not at the point when somebody arrived in the country. I am afraid that to go down that road would render this and all future Governments unable to manage the migration system effectively. It would be the wrong step. It is not a step required of us by our legal system and courts, and we will not be taking it.

[John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab)]

Because of the nature of my constituency, I work with a large number of people who come here—often on the boats—and their families as well, and the years of waiting for security have an impact on their mental health. I would like some clarity on the third paragraph of page 4 of the Home Secretary’s statement, where she says:

“The standard qualifying period for all refugees who have not come by a safe and legal route will become 20 years. A further 10 years will be added for those who entered the country by an illegal method, such as by small boat.”

I have not misread that. Does it meant that earned settlement could take 30 years for some people?

[Shabana Mahmood]

Yes, that is right. We consulted on whether an additional period should apply to those who arrive in the country through unlawful means, such as by boat or on the back of a lorry, and there was an overwhelmingly positive response. My right hon. Friend will know that the Government wish to incentivise people to enter the country through safe and legal means. As I said in my statement, there is nothing fair about our border system being run by people smugglers.