Story perspectives

Home Secretary Reconsiders Indefinite Leave Reforms, Reopens Scheme

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 10:14 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced she will reconsider proposed indefinite leave to remain reforms.
The draft would double the wait for indefinite leave to remain to ten years and extend other visa timelines.
Labour MPs and unions, including Unison leader Andrea Egan, called the reforms ‘un-British’ and urged care-worker exemptions.
Mahmood announced the UK Resettlement Scheme will reopen, offering a five-year route with 25% projected Afghan women, girls or Palestinians.

History

Historical Context

In 2002, the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act introduced a five-year residency requirement for indefinite leave, a policy first built on the Commonwealth Immigrants Acts of 1962 and 1968 that began restricting Commonwealth migration. Now Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood proposes extending the wait to ten years, drawing criticism from Labour MP Jess Phillips and Unison leader Andrea Egan amid debates over the UK Resettlement Scheme.

1 of 2

Story summary

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced she will reconsider proposed indefinite leave to remain reforms.
The draft would double the wait for indefinite leave to remain to ten years and extend other visa timelines.
Labour MPs and unions, including Unison leader Andrea Egan, called the reforms ‘un-British’ and urged care-worker exemptions.
Mahmood announced the UK Resettlement Scheme will reopen, offering a five-year route with 25% projected Afghan women, girls or Palestinians.

1 / 2