Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact on skills shortages of changes to the indefinite leave to remain pathway for skilled worker visa holders.

The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026.

As part of this consultation, we sought views on the potential impact of the proposed changes, including the impact to skilled worker visa holders and potential skill shortages.

We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.

Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly. Any final outcomes will also be subject to both economic impact assessments and equality impact assessments, which we have committed to publish in due course.