Leader of the UK Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has urged the Labour government to retain its proposed 10-year qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), arguing that temporary work visas should not automatically lead to permanent settlement in the United Kingdom.

Badenoch made the appeal in a post on her X account on Monday, sharing a letter addressed to the UK Home Secretary that criticises attempts by some Labour lawmakers to water down the planned immigration reforms.

“People who come to Britain on temporary work visas should not automatically be able to stay forever,” she wrote.

“This Labour government was right to make that harder. Now their MPs want them to U-turn. Conservatives will back Labour’s original plan to help get it through Parliament.”

In the letter, co-signed by Badenoch and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, the Conservatives cautioned against reports that the government may exempt about two million migrants who entered the UK on work visas between 2021 and now from the proposed changes.

Describing the potential exemption as “a grave mistake,” Badenoch said the UK had previously faced the consequences of allowing migrants to secure permanent residency too quickly.

“As Conservatives learned to our cost, five years is too short a time to obtain the indefinite right to remain in the UK,” the letter stated.

She further argued that many migrants currently in low-paid or low-skilled roles could be replaced by economically inactive British citizens if more job opportunities were created.

According to Badenoch, migrants who do not make what she described as a meaningful economic contribution over a 10-year period should return to their home countries once their visas expire.

“Individuals who are not making a significant economic contribution over a ten-year period should not be allowed to stay indefinitely. Those not working, or working in low-paid jobs, should be required to go home at the end of their temporary work visa,” she wrote.

Badenoch also said granting indefinite leave to remain after five years places additional strain on the UK’s welfare system, as beneficiaries become eligible for social benefits and may later apply for citizenship.

She argued that extending the qualifying period to 10 years would not constitute a retrospective change in the rules, noting that temporary work visas do not guarantee permanent residency.

“The government is perfectly entitled to decide at any time the rules on indefinite rights of settlement, including in relation to those here already,” she said.

Offering cross-party backing, Badenoch said the Conservative Party would support Labour’s original proposals if they are introduced without changes.

“If you table the proposals set out last autumn in undiluted form, either in the Immigration Rules or as part of the Immigration and Asylum Bill, we will support them,” the letter said.

She added that how Labour handles the reforms will show whether the party is truly committed to controlling immigration and strengthening the UK’s borders. (The Nation)