Reform UK plan to scrap Indefinite Leave to Remain

Reform UK’s Migrant Policy Proposal Raises Concerns Over Feasibility and Impact

Reform UK has unveiled a controversial immigration policy that would abolish Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and require migrants to reapply for visas every five years. The proposal, spearheaded by Nigel Farage, has sparked debate over its practicality, legality, and potential consequences for millions already settled in the UK.

Under the plan, individuals currently holding ILR or eligible for it would instead face recurring visa renewals. To qualify, migrants would need to meet stricter conditions, including a higher salary threshold, and would lose access to most state benefits and free NHS care. Those who fail to satisfy the requirements risk deportation, even if they have lived in Britain for many years. Reform argues that applying these rules retroactively would help curb migration numbers and save the country money.

Farage and his party claim the policy could deliver savings of £234 billion over several decades by limiting welfare and healthcare spending on migrants. However, government ministers and independent analysts have dismissed this figure as unrealistic, pointing out that such calculations do not account for the economic contributions migrants make through taxes, skills, and labour.

Critics also warn that retroactively revoking ILR may be open to legal challenges. Many migrants with long-established ties, such as families and jobs, could argue that the sudden change breaches their rights. The policy could also destabilise key sectors of the economy. Industries such as social care, hospitality, and transport rely heavily on settled migrant workers, many of whom might no longer qualify under tougher criteria. Employers fear the proposed thresholds could worsen existing labour shortages.

Practical questions remain unanswered. Reform has yet to clarify how much the salary threshold would rise, what benefits would be restricted, or how the Home Office would manage the large-scale reprocessing of visas. The logistics and costs of potential mass deportations are also uncertain.

Supporters of the plan argue that it reflects public frustration over immigration and would strengthen border control. Opponents counter that it risks creating instability, undermining integration, and damaging Britain’s global reputation.

While the policy appeals to Reform’s core voters, experts suggest it may struggle to survive legal scrutiny or secure parliamentary support. For now, the proposal underscores the growing polarisation around immigration and highlights how debates over migration are likely to remain at the forefront of UK politics in the years ahead.