World Immigration News

Immigration and asylum: Labour, Conservative, Lib Dem, Reform and Green positions

Release Date: 2025-10-15
Media: Institute for Government
Summary: A 2025 August poll identified immigration as the UK public’s top concern, driven by rising asylum claims, high net migration, small boat crossings, and the housing of asylum seekers in hotels.

The Labour Party plans to extend the period for applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from five to ten years, with new conditions including English proficiency, community contribution, lawful employment, and no criminal record, emphasizing that settlement is earned through contribution. The Conservatives propose a ten-year wait for ILR and an additional five years before citizenship, with minimum conditions and exemptions for resettlement schemes. Reform UK seeks to abolish the ILR system entirely, replacing it with five-year visa renewals, limiting welfare access, and imposing an immigration tax. The Liberal Democrats and Green Party focus on rights protection and integration and have not proposed changes to ILR.

On border enforcement, Labour emphasizes digital ID and international cooperation, the Conservatives plan a reinforced “Removals Force” and expanded deportations after withdrawing from the ECHR, and Reform UK intends mass deportations and disapplication of international treaties. The Liberal Democrats stress international cooperation, while the Green Party has not announced new border measures.

Regarding asylum policy, Labour will review ECHR protections in cases, Conservatives aim to withdraw from the ECHR and Human Rights Act and end immigration tribunals, Reform UK plans to replace the HRA with a UK citizens-only Bill of Rights, and the Liberal Democrats and Greens prioritize rights and integration, including allowing asylum seekers to work.

All parties agree that hotel accommodation for asylum seekers should end, but proposals for alternatives vary. Overall, Conservatives and Reform UK advocate strict controls, Labour emphasizes contribution-based settlement, and the Liberal Democrats and Greens emphasize rights and integration.
Tags: United Kingdom

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