The United Kingdom is entering a new era of immigration policy. On May 12, Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled a new direction for stricter immigration control during a special press conference. Under the headline “It Ends Now,” the head of government expressed his determination to halt the uncontrolled influx of migrants and transition to a more selective and tightly managed system of entry.
Control, Selectivity, Fairness
“We will create a migration system that is controlled, selective, and fair,” Starmer emphasized in his address to journalists. According to him, the reforms are intended to dismantle the long-standing model that has made the UK a popular destination for migrant workers, students, and asylum seekers.
The measures, outlined in a government plan titled “Restoring Control of the Immigration System,” are expected to shape the backbone of new legislation. The document, also referred to as the “White Paper,” is set to be officially published in the coming days.
While the Prime Minister refrained from specifying projected numbers, Sky News reports that the proposed policies could cut the annual number of incoming migrants by around 98,000 people.
Key Changes
Among the most significant changes is the extension of the required residence period for obtaining permanent settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain). Migrants will now need to live legally in the UK for ten years, rather than the previous five. Additionally, they will be required to demonstrate a high level of English proficiency — a move the government claims is aimed at accelerating integration into British society and the labour market.
International students, who make up one of the largest groups of temporary residents in the UK, will also be affected. Their allowed post-graduation stay will be cut from five years to 18 months — a change that has sparked debate in academic circles, as many graduates had hoped to use that time to find employment and change their immigration status.
Another crucial element of the reform concerns deportation. The Home Office will be granted enhanced powers to monitor and deport foreign nationals convicted of crimes. Authorities emphasize that offenders should “immediately leave the country” after serving their sentences. An inter-agency data exchange system is expected to facilitate this.
Reaction and Context
The reform was announced against the backdrop of record-high migration levels in recent years. According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics, net migration to the country has reached nearly one million people annually — four times higher than in 2019. Although this number dropped to 728,000 in the most recent reporting period, the strain on housing, healthcare, and public services remains acute.
In response, Starmer is staking his political capital on a tough — but, as he puts it, fair — approach. “Life in the UK is a privilege, not a right,” he declared, urging a societal rethink of expectations and policies surrounding immigration.
Meanwhile, similar initiatives are underway in the European Union. On March 11, Politico reported that Brussels is developing a unified system for returning migrants to their countries of origin. Proposals include the creation of external “return centres” outside the EU, where migrants awaiting deportation would be housed, as well as tougher penalties for non-compliance with deportation orders.
Strategy Shift or Political Realignment?
Political analysts note that Starmer’s initiative could mark a turning point in the UK’s domestic policy landscape. Traditionally, the Labour Party has supported a more compassionate and inclusive stance on immigration. However, growing pressure from the Conservatives — coupled with mounting public concern over the housing crisis and overburdened services — has pushed the government to revise its platform.
Experts also highlight that the new plan is designed to reorient migration flows toward highly skilled workers such as engineers, doctors, and IT professionals. For them, simplified pathways to entry and naturalisation may remain in place.
What’s Next?
The publication of the White Paper will trigger parliamentary debates, potentially leading to the introduction of a draft bill. It remains to be seen which aspects of the reform will face opposition — particularly from human rights groups, universities, and business sectors reliant on international labour mobility.
But one thing is already clear: the UK is changing the rules of the game. Those who wish to build a life here will need to meet new standards — from language proficiency to enduring a longer wait for residency status. Starmer’s reform is not just a technical overhaul but a bold attempt to redefine the country’s philosophy of sovereignty and responsibility in matters of immigration.