The changes, associated with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood following her reappointment by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, would alter when some migrants can qualify for benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions. The proposals have prompted debate over the relationship between immigration status and access to public support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The plans follow a wider discussion within the government about the conditions attached to indefinite leave<\/strong> to remain, also known as ILR. According to reports in The Times, around 1.6 million migrants could be exempted from some of the proposed reforms, which could otherwise extend the period before some people gain permanent residency rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At present, people with ILR <\/a>can access a range of welfare support, including housing support, Universal Credit, disability payments, council tax reduction, tax credits and state pension credits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under the proposals linked to Ms Mahmood\u2019s immigration reforms, migrants who receive leave to remain would face a further waiting period<\/strong> before they could claim benefits<\/a>. A source quoted by The Times said the approach would allow people to obtain ILR after five years while preventing access to benefits until a further three or four years had passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to The Times, the issue was focused on benefits rather than the ability to remain in the country permanently. They said that \u201cmost people don\u2019t come here so they can claim benefits<\/em>\u201d, while adding that allowing claims immediately after receiving ILR had become politically damaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The proposed changes come after Ms Mahmood faced criticism over stricter immigration measures. Following her reappointment as Home Secretary in Mr Burnham\u2019s reshuffle, the reforms are expected to continue moving forward, according to The Times.<\/p>\n\n\n\nProposed Changes Would Delay Access to Welfare Support after ILR<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n