Reform UK Plans Stricter Immigration Rules Ahead 2029 Election

Nigel Farage's Reform UK party plans to overhaul Britain's immigration system by replacing the current Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) status with a five-year renewable work visa that restricts access to welfare benefits and family dependents. The party proposes tougher residency requirements for citizenship, increasing the period from five to seven years, and plans to rescind ILR for current holders, requiring them to reapply under the new system. Their policy targets higher earners with strong English skills, aiming to reduce overall immigration numbers and prioritize skilled workers. Despite having only five lawmakers, Reform UK leads opinion polls, reflecting growing public concern over immigration, which has become a more pressing issue than the economy amid a surge in arrivals post-COVID. The British government is responding by proposing similar reforms, including lengthening the waiting period for ILR to ten years. These developments highlight a significant political focus on stricter immigration controls ahead of the 2029 election.