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‘Island Of Strangers’: U.K. Raises English Proficiency Requirements In Sweeping Immigration Overhaul
The Daily Wire ^ | May 12, 2025 | Nathan Gay

Posted on 05/13/2025 4:01:02 PM PDT by Twotone

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday announced a major immigration overhaul that doubles the residency requirement for citizenship and imposes stricter English language requirements, declaring settlement in Britain “a privilege, not a right.”

The new policy increases the residency requirement from five to ten years before migrants can apply for citizenship, with exceptions for those making a “high contribution” to the island nation.

The overhaul is being spearheaded by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, promising English language requirements across every visa route, extending to adult dependents for the first time.

“We will create a migration system that is controlled, selective, and fair – a clean break from the past,” Starmer said at a press conference on Monday, per Sky News. “When people come to our country, they should also commit to integration and to learning our language.”

The reforms come as net migration to the U.K. reached record levels, climbing to 906,000 in June 2023 and standing at 728,000 last year, according to the BBC.

“That is what this White Paper will deliver: lower net migration, higher skills and backing British workers,” with the reforms estimated to cut migrant numbers by 50,000 annually.

Starmer accused industries of being “almost addicted to importing cheap labour” instead of “investing in the skills of people here and want a good job in their community.” He singled out engineering as a sector “where visas have rocketed while apprenticeships have plummeted.”

The government’s immigration White Paper reflects months of research and comes after Reform U.K. made significant gains in local elections, applying political pressure on Labour to address migration concerns.

While previously critical of Conservative immigration policies, Starmer now finds himself implementing restrictions that in some ways go beyond those proposed by his conservative predecessors.

Conservative critics remain skeptical of Labour’s commitment to immigration control, as polls show increasing popular support for reduced immigration.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp dismissed the proposal, saying the idea that Starmer “is tough on immigration is a joke” and promised to push Parliament to introduce a binding cap on migration, which Starmer has declined to implement thus far.

Labour Party MP Sarah Owen, who chairs the Women and Equalities Committee in Parliament, slammed Starmer from the Left, writing on Bluesky that the PM is “chasing the tail of the right” and is putting the U.K. on “a very dark path.”

Starmer warned that without “fair rules,” Britain risked becoming “an island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together.”


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: englishproficiency; immigration; uk

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1 posted on 05/13/2025 4:01:02 PM PDT by Twotone
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To: Twotone

Cupid Stunts.


2 posted on 05/13/2025 4:09:00 PM PDT by know.your.why
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To: Twotone

The question is whether the Brits will believe his attempt at imitating Farage.

I don’t think so, if the Bobbie’s are still looking for online “hate crimes”, so I expect a dialing down of those prosecutions, too.


3 posted on 05/13/2025 4:11:47 PM PDT by VanShuyten ("...that all the donkeys were dead. I know nothing as to the fate of the less valuable anima)
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To: Twotone

Wait for it........yes........ Racist!!!!!


4 posted on 05/13/2025 4:11:47 PM PDT by Ronaldus Magnus III (Do, or do not, there is no try)
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To: Twotone

They could let 10 million in each year and the women will just keep popping out new ones.


5 posted on 05/13/2025 4:14:34 PM PDT by healy61
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To: Twotone
Raise your hand if you think Starmer will start deporting illegals who are already in the UK, and actually prevent new ones from landing.

Hmm… not a single hand was raised. Smart group there.

6 posted on 05/13/2025 4:29:13 PM PDT by Leaning Right (It’s morning in America. Again.)
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To: Twotone

I thought the UK had made it a hate crime to say: “Speak English.”


7 posted on 05/13/2025 4:30:32 PM PDT by Savage Beast (There's a Light over the Whole World. I just want everybody to be happy, healthy and well. --DJT)
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To: Twotone

Don’t trust them.


8 posted on 05/13/2025 4:32:05 PM PDT by dljordan (The Rewards of Tolerance are Treachery and Betrayal)
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To: Twotone
U.K. Raises English Proficiency Requirements In Sweeping Immigration Overhaul

This overhaul requires that all Muslim Immigrants to the UK MUST be able to Bark Out the phrases:

"GIVE ME ALL YOUR MONEY AND JEWELRY"

"GIVE ME YOUR DAUGHTERS"

and "GIVE ME YOUR AUTOMOBILE OR I WILL STICK YOU WITH MY KNIFE"

in absolutely perfect English, or they will be given an interpreter/valet for free.

9 posted on 05/13/2025 4:50:28 PM PDT by Navy Patriot (President Trump Decisively Won Popular & E.C., Celebrate Recivilization!)
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To: Twotone

Queer Stormer is skeert.


10 posted on 05/13/2025 5:58:56 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Democrats are the Party of anger, hate and violence.)
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To: Savage Beast

Right. Why would anyone want to speak English in England?


11 posted on 05/13/2025 6:02:03 PM PDT by redfreedom (Happiness is shopping at Walmart and not hearing Spanish once!)
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To: Twotone

Oh! It’s OK when Kier, the mooselim man kissing faggot, says it’s OK. Got it.


12 posted on 05/13/2025 8:11:23 PM PDT by Captainpaintball (America needs a Conservative DICTATOR if it hopes to survive. )
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To: Twotone

When U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer says that he will impose “stricter English language requirements” then you know that sadly he’s simply making fun of us.


13 posted on 05/13/2025 11:18:34 PM PDT by Mr Radical (In times of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.)
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