Tory leader Kemi Badenoch declared that migrants with work visas who seek benefits will be ineligible for permanent settlement in the UK.
Badenoch proposed lengthening the period from five to ten years before migrants can seek indefinite leave to remain, paving the way for British citizenship.
As per her plan, immigrants with a criminal background, who have sought social housing or benefits, or who possess both, would be denied permanent status.
Speaking to the BBC, Badenoch said the current rules had created a “conveyor belt” to citizenship for those who had just arrived in the country.
She argued too many people were getting citizenship through this route and that was “creating a strain on public services”.
“We need to make sure that people coming here have a real, meaningful connection to the UK, so no criminal records, they should be net contributors to the economy, not relying on benefits but people who care about our country and our communities.
”
An individual can now submit an application for British citizenship 12 months after receiving indefinite leave to remain.
The Conservatives argue that migrants should be eligible to apply for British citizenship only after holding ILR for 15 years.
The party is urging the government to implement the modifications, retroactive to 2021, by revising its Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill set for discussion in Parliament next week.
Individuals in the UK who are on visas, undocumented, or pursuing asylum typically cannot access welfare benefits and social housing.
This is a visa requirement referred to as no recourse to public funds, which restricts access to government-funded welfare.
SOURCE:DKlassGh.net