Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled a series of strict immigration reforms aimed at cutting net migration and regaining control over Britain’s borders. The new measures, announced from Downing Street, signal a sharp shift from previous policies and respond to mounting pressure from the anti-immigration Reform Party.
A key change is the extension of the residency requirement for settlement and citizenship from five to ten years, ending automatic settlement after five years. The reforms also introduce tougher English language requirements for dependents and call for the deportation of all foreign nationals convicted of any offence, regardless of sentence length.
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Interior Minister Yvette Cooper described the reforms as a radical step to reduce lower-skilled immigration and tighten enforcement. The government plans to cut 50,000 lower-skilled worker visas this year and will fast-track high-skilled professionals such as doctors and AI specialists.
The measures come after net migration hit 728,000 last year and as the Labour Party faces growing electoral pressure. Starmer emphasized the government’s commitment to stopping illegal Channel crossings and highlighted that over 24,000 individuals have been deported since July last year.
