Nigel Farage has pledged to abolish indefinite leave to remain (ILR), threatening tens of thousands of legally resident non-citizens with deportation unless they meet strict new visa rules. The Reform UK leader said his plan targets the 'Boriswave' of legal immigrants who arrived under post-Brexit rules introduced by Boris Johnson, which he called the 'greatest betrayal of democratic wishes in anyone's living memory'.
Under the proposals, around 800,000 people due to qualify for ILR over the next three to four years would instead have to apply for visas with high salary thresholds—reportedly around £60,000—and would be barred from accessing NHS services or benefits. Farage claimed the policy would save £234bn, citing a Centre for Policy Studies report that has since been withdrawn due to a dispute over the figures. He insisted the true saving was 'without a doubt' higher.
At a press conference alongside policy chief Zia Yusuf, Farage faced criticism for refusing to specify costs or clarify whether the policy would apply to refugees from Ukraine, Hong Kong, and Afghanistan. Yusuf later said EU citizens with settled status would be exempt, but warned that welfare negotiations with the EU would be reopened. Downing Street accused Farage of wanting to 'foster division', while Sadiq Khan also condemned the plans.
Farage argued that most of those affected were 'not working, have not worked and in all probability will never work', though he provided no evidence. The changes would require advanced English and impose strict limits on family reunification. Critics warn the policy would throw the lives of many families into uncertainty and could lead to mass deportations.
