Earned settlement: Activists warn Labour consultation is a stitch-up

The Migrants’ Rights Network has issued an urgent callout to allies. The charity is asking that we complete a government consultation on its so-called ‘earned settlement’ immigration scheme.

The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 12 February 2026. That gives us under two weeks left to act. 

In its statement, the MRN explained that:

Over the last year, we’ve seen relentless attacks on our communities. Since the Immigration White Paper announcement in May 2025, the Government has attempted to exclude people who have built their lives here.

From citizenship  changes to the misleadingly titled ‘good character guidance’, and an increase in the salary thresholds for thousands of skilled workers – who now risk being unable to renew their work visas – to the Prime Minister’s now-infamous ‘Island of Strangers’ speech, it’s clear in the Government’s eyes we are not welcome and do not belong.

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‘Earned settlement’

Now, Labour has put forward new proposals for an ‘earned settlement’ model. The MRN didn’t mince its words, stating outright that the concept is “rooted in cruelty”.

The change could come into force as soon as April of this year. The government consultation itself states that:

‘Earned settlement’ is a principle that recognises the value of long-term contribution to the UK. Rather than granting settlement automatically after a fixed period, this approach requires individuals to demonstrate sustained commitment (through work, community involvement, or other meaningful contributions) before being granted permanent status.

The proposed framework sets a starting point of 10 years before settlement can be obtained. This duration may be reduced based on positive indicators (e.g. contributing to the Exchequer by earning a certain salary) or extended based on negative indicators (e.g. reliance on public funds).

The MRN pointed out that the change would heap yet more uncertainty on migrants and refugees, and extend waiting times for settlement — if not preventing it altogether in some cases. Likewise, the very concept of ‘earned settlement’ is rooted in racism and classism, with high-paid workers receiving preferential treatment.

Limitations to the consultation

The consultation itself is a joke. The deadline is on 12 February, but the government expects that it could begin to implement the changes as early as April. This planned two-month gap clearly indicates that Labour has no intention of listening to any dissenting views.

Likewise, the survey features vague, confusing questions, and gives very little opportunity for meaningful feedback. At a fundamental level, the consultation presupposes that migrants’ rights are up for debate:

many questions ask you to accept a framework which we fundamentally reject. A framework that suggests settlement should be ‘earned’ or that some groups should be exempted from longer routes – a proposal that would give others preferential treatment over others. […] It’s ultimately an attempt to appease the far-right rather than challenge anti-migrant racism.

Given the clear biases in the consultation, the MRN is under no illusions that it might convince the government to reverse course. However, it’s urging us to fill it out anyway:

We are engaging with the consultation as we think it’s important to make our voices heard, register opposition to the proposals, and because we have been asked to by community members. Some groups are exploring legal challenges, and we think the consultation data could be useful for this.

How can you help?

In the face of such an obvious stitch-up, it’s easy to feel powerless. However, the MRN suggested four ways in which we can help:

1. First and foremost, you should complete the consultation. As the MRN explained, we need to register our opposition to lay the groundwork for resistance further down the line. If you need help, you can check out the MRN’s consultation response here.
2. Share the consultation with your group chats, colleagues, family and friends. Anyone can get involved, so it helps to get it in front of as many sympathetic eyes as possible.
3. Check in on your migrant friends and neighbours. These changes will make people’s lives worse when they’re implemented, but the proposals themselves are designed to make migrants feel unwanted. It’s our duty to show people that this isn’t the case.
4. Join the ‘Not a Stranger’ campaign:
   

   Not a Stranger is a migrant-led campaigning group established in June 2025 in response to the UK Government’s Immigration White Paper (IWP) proposal. Find out more and join the campaign here.

The UK government’s intense hostility is intended to make migrants and their allies feel like there’s nothing they can do. They want us apathetic in the face of their right-wing pandering.

We must stand up now and demonstrate that there are still people who believe that we’re stronger together, and we won’t back down without a fight.

Featured image via Change.org