A statement on the Home Office's earned settlement consultation

Yesterday, Hackney Council submitted its response to the Government’s consultation on Earned Settlement. These proposals would replace the current route to settlement with a system that significantly increases the length of time, income thresholds, and other requirements migrants must meet before qualifying for settled status.

We developed our response after speaking with residents, local organisations and Council staff, and we set out serious concerns about the likely impact:

• The proposed model risks reducing the attractiveness of the UK to migrant workers in sectors already facing acute labour shortages, most notably health and social care.
  
  
• We are concerned that the changes would bring significant additional costs for local authorities and partner organisations. By adversely affecting some of our most vulnerable residents, we expect to see increased demand and cost pressures across housing, children’s services and adult social care.
  
  
• Most importantly, residents told us these proposals are already causing stress and re-traumatisation. A system that relies on people proving continuous contributions assumes there are no barriers to finding secure work, stable housing, or accessing English language support. We know that is not the reality for many people. There is particular distress at the suggestion the changes could be applied retrospectively to those who currently hold limited leave to remain.

Being a welcoming borough is in Hackney's DNA. Migrants contribute enormously to our communities, our public services and our local economy. It is vital that national policy recognises those contributions and treats all our residents with fairness and dignity.

Mayor of Hackney Caroline Woodley, and Cllr Carole Williams, Cabinet Member for Employment, Human Resources and Equalities