The two big changes to the UK's migration policy which could impact millions

YouTube.com ^ | Nov 21, 2025 | BBC News

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Grok Summary of Video Transcript

Main focus: Labour’s major immigration crackdown, presented as the toughest in years.Key policy changes (announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood):

• Time to qualify for indefinite leave to remain (settled status) doubled from 5 to 10 years for everyone who arrived after 2021 (~2.6 million people affected).
• Can extend to 15–20 years if someone claims benefits for >12 months.
• Can be shortened for high economic contributors (e.g. NHS workers, high-value entrepreneurs).
• Core message: “Settling in the UK is a privilege that must be earned.”

Builds on earlier asylum changes (temporary status, reviewed every 2.5 years) and explicitly modelled on Denmark’s tough centre-left system.Political framing:

• Government blames the “Boris wave” (post-COVID surge under Johnson) and says tough action is needed to prevent far-right rise and racism.
• Surprisingly getting praise from right-wing figures (e.g. ex-Reform chair Zia Yusuf, even Tommy Robinson) for being tougher than any Tory Home Secretary.
• Using Nigel Farage/Reform as the bogeyman: “Back us or the far right wins.”
• Some unease among Labour left-wing MPs, but limited rebellion so far.

Other notes:

• Keir Starmer tells ministers to stop “talking about ourselves” after recent rows.
• Defence Secretary claims this is the most unified cabinet ever (awkward timing).
• Next week’s Budget expected to feature many small, painful tax rises rather than one headline increase; markets nervous.

Overall tone: Labour is deliberately going harder on immigration than the Tories ever did — to neuter the issue politically, create room for progressive policies elsewhere, and block Reform’s momentum — even if it causes internal friction and a very complex system.In short: “Shabana Mahmood owns immigration week.”

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[Sicon]

Oh, so now it’s “migration” policy. I guess “immigration” is no longer a thing, it’s just people moving around like geese in late autumn.

[goodnesswins]

Around here geese get shot in late autumn

[metmom]

There’s a thought......

[Bigg Red]

Sounds like a plan....

[Bigg Red]

Oh, I am sure that female mohammedan will be putting the brakes on the muzzie invasion....

[PubliusMM]

It takes more than just policy changes or new legislation to positively impact illegal immigration.
It takes a willingness to ENFORCE the laws, as well.
The US is prime example of what happens when you have laws but no stomach for the enforcement of same.

[Buttons12]

“The US is prime example of what happens when you have laws but no stomach for the enforcement of same.”
Maybe prosecutors are discouraged because academia has been accepting foreign students in law schools and spineless politicians keep turning them into judges.
Too late to fix that now.
And in Britain there’s even less backbone on every level.