Kemi Badenoch Defends 10-Year Rule, Rejects Automatic ILR for Visa Workers

Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK Conservative Party, has called on the Labour government to uphold its plan requiring ten years of residence for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). In a letter co-signed with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, she warned against exempting the two million migrants who arrived on work visas since 2021 from the proposed reforms. Badenoch argued that five years is too short to qualify for permanent settlement. She said extending the qualifying period would relieve pressure on the welfare system and ensure migrants make a significant economic contribution before applying for ILR. Those not working or in low-paid roles after ten years should return home, she insisted. She also pledged Conservative support for the original immigration proposals if they are introduced without dilution, stressing that temporary visas never guaranteed an automatic right to settle in the UK.

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