Immigration white paper: Joint briefing on proposals on settlement & citizenship

14th May 2025

This briefing has been compiled by Praxis and the Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit, two charities that provide immigration advice and support to people in the immigration and asylum systems, in response to the Government’s Immigration White Paper. In the Paper, the Government proposes to, amongst other things, make it harder for people coming to the UK to stay here permanently by doubling the length of time most people need to wait before applying for settlement, increasing the English level required, and making settlement and citizenship “earned” - i.e. linked to an as yet unspecified “contribution” to the economy and society.

This briefing explains in detail what the Government is proposing, the impact it will have on people in our communities, and what the Government should be doing instead.