Burnham backs "earned settlement" rule as UK eyes stricter immigration path

U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham says settlement in the U.K. must be earned, not given automatically. The rule change was first outlined by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood in a draft "earned settlement" plan last year, which would raise the baseline qualifying period from five years out of a 15‑year residency to a longer stay. The exact length could vary based on a migrant’s income, any immigration violations and other factors. Indian citizens are expected to feel the biggest impact, as they were the largest non‑EU group moving to the U.K. for the year ending December 2025. Burnham told a TV interview on Monday that the government will publish the final plan soon after reviewing responses to the public consultation held earlier this year. He also signalled a softer approach for social‑care workers, a cohort that arrived during the early‑2020s “Boriswave” and now qualifies for settlement. The prime minister noted that Brexit in 2016 did not unfold as predicted, with the economy weakening and immigration control becoming tougher. He said “revolving‑door immigration” is giving way to more permanent residency. Over the weekend the Sunday Times reported Burnham’s openness to a free‑movement deal with the EU, and he reiterated his wish to see the U.K. rejoin the bloc in his lifetime, but only if the public approves. The British public, he said, will be the “bosses” on any Brexit‑related decision. The U.K. and EU aim to finalize an agreement covering agriculture and immigration at a summit on November 20. Burnham also ruled out an early general election, noting the current parliament runs until 2029.

Context

The "earned settlement" idea ties long‑term residency to factors such as earnings and compliance, a shift from the simpler time‑based rules that existed before. It reflects broader attempts to balance labour needs with public concerns over immigration after Brexit.