Olivia Blake MP: “Changes to Earned Settlement Risk Deepening Child Poverty.”

RAMP Principal Olivia Blake MP has written an article for Politics Home on the Government's proposed earned settlement reforms.

The proposals would replace automatic settlement/ Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) with an “Earned Settlement” model. Under this model, the qualifying period would double to 10 years, with applicants required to demonstrate higher English language proficiency, a clean criminal record, and sustained economic contribution.

She highlights concerns about the potential impact of the retrospective extension of qualification periods, citing research that around 1.35 million people, including more than 300,000 children, would face longer routes to settlement, with disproportionate effects on lower-income and vulnerable groups. She notes that extended and complex pathways may undermine integration, financial stability, and mental well-being.

In addition, Blake also highlights that equality, economic and child rights impact assessments have not been published yet, calling for these to be released before any reforms proceed. Her piece calls for reconsideration of the proposals in favour of a more stable, accessible, and time-limited pathway to settlement.

You can read the full article here.