Farage Vows to Review Citizenship for Migrants Under Mahmood’s Scheme
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage pledges to revoke citizenships from migrants deemed a net loss for Britain.
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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has vowed to revoke citizenships obtained under Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s immigration scheme, which he claims has led to a ‘major u-turn’ on migration policies. Following intense pressure from Labour backbenchers, Mahmood announced new rules that allow certain migrants to gain citizenship in as little as three years, despite warnings of financial strain on the public purse.
New Immigration Rules Spark Concern
Under the revised policy, most immigrants will have to wait ten years to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), a permanent residency status that allows foreigners to live, study, and work in the UK without time restrictions. Those granted ILR can typically apply for citizenship within a year. To qualify for ILR, migrants must have a clean criminal record, not be on welfare, not owe tax or healthcare debts, and pass an English language test.
However, some groups, such as those earning over £125,141 annually or working in skilled public sector jobs like doctors, nurses, and teachers, will have shorter wait times, with some qualifying for ILR in as few as three or five years. This decision has drawn criticism, as the Migration Advisory Committee warned that it could cost taxpayers billions in healthcare and welfare expenses.
Farage Promises Citizenship Review
Farage has stated that if Reform UK is given power, his party will review all citizenships granted under the current scheme and revoke those deemed a ‘net negative’ for the UK. He criticized the existing system for granting citizenship too quickly, calling it ‘uniquely stupid’ and a failure of British values.
Reform UK has also pledged to replace the ILR system with an American-style work visa that requires renewal every five years. The party estimates that the so-called Boriswave of migrants who arrived between 2020 and 2024 could cost the UK taxpayer £622.5 billion by 2085.
Controversy Over Welfare Access
Reform UK has also promised to prohibit all foreigners in Britain from receiving welfare benefits. Shadow Chancellor Robert Jenrick estimated that this could save the UK taxpayer £21 billion by 2029. Critics, however, warn that the new rules may incentivize further migration, with Migration Watch UK chairman Alp Mehmet calling the policy a ‘weak and pusillanimous reaction’ that ignores public opinion.
With these new policies, the debate over immigration and its economic impact continues to be a major political issue in the UK.
Source: Breitbart
