Lagatar24 Desk
London: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a sweeping overhaul of the country’s immigration system, marking the first major reform in years. The move aims to drastically reduce net migration by the end of the current parliamentary term, but his remarks—particularly calling the UK at risk of becoming an “island of strangers”—have drawn widespread criticism from rights groups and political opponents.
Longer Path To Citizenship
Under the new reforms, individuals seeking UK citizenship will now be required to reside in the country for double the current duration before qualifying. Starmer argued that higher migration has failed to boost economic growth and instead called for investment in skills and training. “This is not just a white paper on immigration, but one that ties into our strategy for skills development,” he said.
Public Backlash Over Language
Refugee advocacy group Care4Calais condemned Starmer’s “shameful language,” saying it fans far-right sentiments. CEO Steve Smith called the phrase “island of strangers” inflammatory, warning it could provoke unrest. Critics also drew comparisons between Starmer’s tone and that of right-wing figures like Nigel Farage. The PM, however, maintained that his plan reflects the public’s post-Brexit desire to “take back control” of borders.
Silver Lining For Migrants
Despite the restrictions, Starmer clarified that there will be no cap on the total number of migrants allowed into the UK. He declined to confirm whether net migration would fall year-on-year, but affirmed it would decrease by the end of the parliament. The announcement also took aim at the previous Conservative government, blaming them for quadrupling net migration figures between 2019 and 2023 while publicly claiming to curb them.
