A group of Labour MPs has called on Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood not to apply new settlement rules to migrants who are already living in the UK.
In a letter signed by 35 Labour MPs, along with 17 MPs from other parties, 21 peers and 33 civil society organisations, lawmakers argued that changing the rules for people already in the country would be unfair. They said many migrant workers have built lives, contributed to communities, and followed the rules in good faith.
The government has proposed doubling the time most migrants must wait before qualifying for permanent residence, also known as indefinite leave to remain. Under current rules, migrants can usually apply for settlement after five years. The new plan would extend this to 10 years.
Settlement gives a person the right to live, work, and study in the UK without time limits and to apply for benefits if eligible.
Under the proposals, some migrants could reduce the 10-year wait, for example, if they are high earners. However, others would face even longer delays. Health and social care workers could be required to wait 15 years, while those who have claimed benefits for more than 12 months may have to wait up to 20 years.
The government says the changes would not affect people who have already secured a settlement. However, they would apply to migrants currently living in the UK who were expecting to qualify for permanent residence soon.
Home Secretary Mahmood has defended the plans, saying the “unprecedented” levels of migration in recent years require a strong response. Ministers argue that migrants must contribute before earning the right to stay permanently and say high migration levels are putting pressure on local services and communities.
But critics within Labour say applying the changes retrospectively would amount to “moving the goalposts.” The letter argues that the British public values fairness and that people who follow the rules should not face sudden changes to long-term agreements.
The signatories warn that the proposals could worsen staff shortages, especially in social care, where thousands of vacancies already exist. They say extending settlement timelines could discourage workers in essential sectors and push services closer to crisis.
The letter calls on the government to rule out applying the new rules to migrant families already in the UK. It also urges ministers to pause the current consultation process until a full impact assessment is published.
Concern among Labour MPs has been growing, with dozens raising objections in Parliament in recent weeks. The debate highlights tensions within the party over how to balance stricter migration controls with fairness for workers who have already settled and contributed to life in Britain.