Kemi Badenoch has introduced her first major policy as the leader of the Conservative Party, promising stricter immigration rules to reduce the financial burden of low-paid and unemployed migrants on the UK. She plans to deport those who do not contribute enough to the economy and make it harder for migrants to stay in the country permanently.
Under her proposal, migrants will have to live in the UK for 10 years before they can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), instead of the current five years. To qualify, they must not have claimed any benefits or used social housing during that time.
Badenoch also insists that migrants must be “net contributors” to the economy, meaning their earnings and tax payments must be higher than the public services they use, including healthcare, education, and welfare. Those who do not meet these conditions may face deportation.
“Our country is not a dormitory; it is our home,” Badenoch said. “Immigration has been too fast, making it hard for people to integrate properly. A UK passport should be a privilege, not something given automatically.”
She criticized the Labour Government, saying their immigration policies could lead to a crisis. She also warned that the new Border Security Bill might allow illegal migrants to stay in the UK more easily, making the situation worse.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp admitted that the previous Conservative Government made mistakes in handling non-EU migration. “We got it wrong, and it should not have happened,” he said on GB News. He added that with Badenoch as leader, there is now a clear plan to fix these issues. “These policies are serious, well-planned, and will help rebuild trust with the public.”
Badenoch’s new policy shows a strong stance on immigration, with the Conservative Party positioning itself as tough on border control. With concerns about rising migration numbers, her plans are expected to spark major discussions in the coming months.