Coram, Barnardo’s and the Children’s Society have written to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood urging her to rethink plans to change indefinite leave to remain (ILR) rules retrospectively
Three of the UK’s biggest children’s charities have called on Shabana Mahmood to back down on her controversial immigration shake-up.
Coram, Barnardo’s and the Children’s Society urged the Home Secretary to heed alarming research, which found up to 90,000 vulnerable youngsters could be kept in poverty by indefinite leave to remain (ILR) changes. Ms Mahmood plans to double the standard time it takes to qualify for ILR – with the rules applying to people currently living in the UK.
In their letter, the charities state: “It is unfair to change the rules on which families based fundamental decisions about their and their children’s lives.” It comes after research by think-tank the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) found the Home Secretary’s proposed earned settlement proposals would impact over 300,000 children already living in the UK. The charities warn up to 90,000 children could be kept in poverty as a result.
Currently migrants can apply for ILR after being in the UK for five years. Ms Mahmood wants to extend the standard wait to 10 years, saying the right to settle in the UK must be earned. Her proposals would see people able to earn a faster settlement by volunteering in their community, and high earners and NHS staff would be prioritised.
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On the flipside, those who claim benefits or arrive illegally would be penalised, with some forced to wait 30 years. Migrant families would have restricted access to benefits, and their children would not be able to claim student finance as ‘home’ applicants – meaning they would face higher fees.
The Home Secretary said the proposals are rooted in fairness, but the decision to make it retrospective has sparked a backlash. In their letter the three charities wrote: “Children come to the UK as children, not as migrants or refugees.
“They build their lives and identities in our communities and schools. It is imperative that reforms to settlement and the asylum system do not undermine the Government’s proud ambitions for the next generation.”
They have called for existing rules to be retained – including allowing seven year olds born in the UK to be awarded ILR. They also want a five-year route for children who have been in the UK for seven years, as well as for 18 to 24 year olds who have been in the country half their lives.
They also called for assurances that babies and children are not subject to force. Dame Carol Homden DBE PhD, Chief Executive of Coram, said: “It is imperative that settlement and asylum reforms align with wider Government ambitions for children, including breaking down barriers to opportunity and tackling child poverty.”
The proposal to apply ILR changes retrospectively have sparked a backlash among Labour MPs. Former Deputy PM Angela Rayner blasted it as “un-British” and dubbed it a breach of trust.
But polling by More In Common last month found 50% of the public supports Ms Mahmood’s proposals, with 22% undecided.
The Home Office estimates that 1.6million people could be allowed to settle permanently by 2030 if no action is taken, following a spike in net migration under the Tories.
The Home Office was approached for comment.