Farage's UK Immigration Plans Face Widespread Criticism Over Feasibility

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has proposed scrapping the status of indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK, aiming to force migrants with permanent residency to reapply under stricter visa criteria including a higher salary threshold and English language standards. He claims these measures would save Britain £234 billion by banning foreigners from claiming benefits and reducing what he terms "endless cheap foreign labour." However, critics including migration charities, think tanks, and government officials have dismissed these plans as legally unworkable, divisive, and based on questionable statistics. They warn the proposals could devastate public services like the NHS and care sector, which rely heavily on migrant labor, and disrupt the lives of millions who have legally settled in the UK. Additionally, exemptions for EU citizens with settled status limit the immediate impact, and any attempts to change their rights would face significant legal and diplomatic challenges. Political opponents have accused Farage of fostering division and advancing unrealistic policies that do not address the complex realities of migration and public service funding.