UK Visa & ImmigrationNov 2, 2026·1 min read·🔥 High relevance

How will UK immigration rules change under Shabana Mahmood’s latest plans?

The Guardian – UK Immigration

1d ago

How will UK immigration rules change under Shabana Mahmood’s latest plans?

Summary

Home secretary has softened on some proposals but is still hardening rules for those wishing to settle permanently Shabana Mahmood has watered down some of last year’s immigration plans after a backlash from enraged backbench Labour MPs and some of her cabinet colleagues. But the package of proposals outlined on Thursday is still a radical hardening of the rules for those wishing to settle permanently in the UK. People on lower incomes will have to wait longer before achieving indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK, while people on higher salaries will find it easier. Continue reading...

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But the BBC understands that social care workers already in the UK are now likely to be exempt from the longer wait.[1]

Under pressure from health unions, the home secretary has moved to allow an estimated 280,000 care workers and their dependants to apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years.[2]

Miatta Fahnbulleh initially did not explicitly back the government's proposals The energy minister has insisted she backs Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's immigration reforms after she made what she described as a "light-hearted remark".[3]

But the package of proposals outlined on Thursday is still a radical hardening of the rules for those wishing to settle permanently in the UK.[4]

The Guardian – UK Immigration(this article)1d ago

But the package of proposals outlined on Thursday is still a radical hardening of the rules for those wishing to settle permanently in the UK.

The Guardian – UK Immigration1d ago

Under pressure from health unions, the home secretary has moved to allow an estimated 280,000 care workers and their dependants to apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years.

The Guardian – UK Immigration2d ago

BBC News – UK3d ago

But the BBC understands that social care workers already in the UK are now likely to be exempt from the longer wait.

BBC News – UKOct 22, 2026

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