John Healey: Immigration system must be fair to those who contribute & fair to British families

Rawmarsh and Conisbrough MP John Healey has backed plans to change the way migrants qualify to settle permanently in Britain, saying people who work, contribute and play by the rules should be recognised, while those who abuse the system should face tougher consequences.

Mr Healey, Chancellor of the Exchequer, says that under the Government's new approach, permanent settlement will no longer simply follow automatically after a set period.

Instead, the length of time someone must wait will "depend more closely on their contribution and whether they have followed the rules."

People applying for settlement will have to meet basic requirements including a clean criminal record, a high standard of English, no debt to the taxpayer and sustained National Insurance contributions. For most migrants the normal route to settlement will be ten years. 

But people making particularly important contributions will be able to qualify sooner. Higher earners and key public-service workers, including doctors, nurses and teachers, can qualify after five years, while the highest earners can qualify after three. 

Mr Healey said: “People in Rotherham and Doncaster are fair-minded. They recognise the contribution that people who come to Britain can make, whether that's caring for someone in hospital or a care home, teaching our children, starting a business or simply working hard and paying their way.

“But they also expect proper rules and they expect those rules to be enforced.

“I think that's the right starting point for immigration. If you come here legally, work hard, contribute and play by the rules, that contribution should count. If you break the rules or try to bypass the proper system, there should be consequences.

“That's why I support the principle that permanent settlement in Britain should be earned through contribution rather than treated as automatic."

Mr Healey, who presented the budget last week said, the Government is also recognising the contribution made by overseas care workers who came to Britain when the care sector was under severe pressure following the pandemic.

Care workers who worked in the sector and met the conditions of their visa will retain a five-year route to settlement. Those who did not meet those conditions will be able to seek a new sponsor and complete a new five-year visa before qualifying. 

The rules for refugees will distinguish between those coming through safe and legal routes and those arriving through dangerous and illegal journeys. Refugees arriving through safe and legal routes will be able to qualify for settlement after five years. Other refugees would normally wait 20 years, with the period reduced for those entering work or study, while people arriving by small boat or other clandestine routes face an additional ten-year wait. 

Mr Healey stressed that people who already have settled status will not lose it.

The changes also protect the existing settlement arrangements of a number of groups, including family members of British citizens, Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas), members of the Armed Forces, bereaved partners, victims of domestic abuse and specified vulnerable children and young people. 

Mr Healey said: “It is also right that we keep faith with care workers who came here when Britain needed them after the pandemic and who have done what was asked of them.

“There is nothing wrong with people raising concerns about immigration or asking whether the system is working properly. Those concerns deserve serious answers.

“But we should never allow legitimate debate about immigration to become an excuse for hatred or division. We can have firm borders, proper enforcement and clear rules while treating people decently and keeping our communities together.

“Immigration will always provoke strong views. My approach is to listen to people's concerns, be straightforward about the pressures the country faces, and support a system which is controlled, enforced and fair.”