Immigration: Earned Settlement

Stella Creasy Excerpts

Monday 2nd November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Shabana Mahmood]

The Government are not restricting benefits for those with settlement rights. The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right that not only does that require primarily legislation, but it would create two-tier settlement rights. The rules on no access to public funds apply before somebody can achieve settlement to make sure that those who have had to fall on the state to seek assistance are still working for a period before they apply for settlement.

[Ms Stella Creasy (Walthamstow) (Lab/Co-op)]

It is heartening to hear the Home Secretary dispel the lump of labour fallacy that people who come to this country simply take jobs. She is talking about the benefits of people coming to this country through immigration, and that is welcome, but if we are to help our constituents understand the new scheme that she is proposing, we do need some clarity. If I understand rightly, around 200,000 people who are working but do not earn more than £50,000, do not have a British spousal connection and are not working in the care sector or public sector—scientists, researchers or skilled technicians, for example—will now face a 10-year wait to get settlement in this country. She says that there is going to be an economic impact assessment. Does she expect these proposals to have a positive or negative impact on our economy?

[Shabana Mahmood]

My hon. Friend mentions number of different professions. It will depend on entry levels and whether they fall within a transitional arrangement, but the default period for settlement has moved from five years to 10 years. I do expect there to be economic benefits, not least the billions saved to the Department for Work and Pensions from people waiting longer before they are able to access benefits.