A fundamental rejection: our submission to the Home Office’s “earned” settlement
The Work Rights Centre has formally submitted supplementary evidence to the Home Office, fundamentally rejecting the government’s "earned” settlement proposals.
While the government argues these reforms are necessary to ensure migrants contribute to society, our frontline work with migrants suggests the exact opposite: these changes will undermine integration, increase poverty, and fuel systemic exploitation. Furthermore, without the publication of an Impact Assessment for full scrutiny of their long-term effects, the consultation process is intrinsically flawed.
Our submission highlights four major areas of concern:
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Increased exploitation: Extending the time workers are tied to employers on temporary visas drastically increases the risk of modern slavery and labour abuse.
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Poverty and destitution: The high cost of repeated visa renewals - often exceeding £13,000 for a family of three - combined with prolonged exclusion from public funds (NRPF), will push working families into poverty.
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Barriers to integration: Having a secure immigration status is a primary driver of integration. Creating a class of long-term temporary residents hinders social cohesion and economic mobility.
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Economic harm: The proposals risk damaging public finances by pushing migrants into the informal economy, and making British businesses less competitive.
Ultimately, the "earned” settlement proposals address a problem that does not exist. Migration is already falling due to recent salary and visa restrictions. Evidence shows that the majority of migrants are already well-integrated, fluent in English, and are employed in critical sectors.
Far from being a drain on resources, migrants on Skilled Worker visas, including those in medium-skilled and care roles, provide a net positive fiscal contribution and fill vital labour gaps that sustain the wider economy.