By Palang Paul
United Kingdom Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, has called for migrants making little economic contribution to Britain to be sent back home.
Badenoch made the call on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, while opposing reported moves to soften proposed changes to Britain’s permanent settlement rules.
She said foreign nationals admitted into the UK on temporary work visas should not automatically qualify to remain permanently, particularly when they are unemployed or working in low-paid jobs.
The Conservative leader is pushing for the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain, ILR, to be increased from five to 10 years.
According to Badenoch, migrants who fail to make a significant economic contribution within the proposed 10-year period should leave Britain when their temporary work visas expire.
“People who come to Britain on temporary work visas should not automatically be able to stay forever,” she said in a social media post.
Her position was also contained in a letter jointly signed with Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Philp, and addressed to the Home Secretary on Monday.
The opposition leaders expressed concern over reports that the Labour government could exempt about two million migrants who arrived in Britain on work visas from 2021 from the proposed ILR changes.
Badenoch described any possible reversal as a serious mistake, arguing that the current five-year pathway to permanent settlement is too short.
She further claimed that many recent migrants occupy low-paid and low-skilled jobs that could be taken by some economically inactive British citizens.
“Individuals who are not making a significant economic contribution over a ten-year period should not be allowed to stay indefinitely,” the letter stated.
“Those not working, or working in low paid jobs, should be required to go home at the end of their temporary work visa.”
Badenoch also warned that granting permanent settlement to large numbers of recent migrants could increase pressure on Britain’s welfare system and taxpayers.
She maintained that the British government has the legal authority to review settlement requirements, including rules affecting migrants already living in the country on temporary visas.
The Conservatives pledged to support Labour’s original immigration proposal in Parliament if the government introduces the plan without weakening its key provisions.
Badenoch said the government’s handling of the issue would demonstrate whether the Labour Party is serious about controlling Britain’s borders.
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