the3million’s statement on Reform’s plan to scrap indefinite leave to remain
Dozens of EU citizens have contacted us after Nigel Farage shared Reform’s plans to scrap indefinite leave to remain, if the party wins the next election.
These announcements stoked up fear in our communities, with many of us feeling like we're on quicksand, not knowing what the future could bring.
We refuse to accept these racist policies are what the British public would ever want, and we are calling on the Labour government to stop pandering to these fringe voices and instead stand with migrant communities.
What could be the consequences for EU citizens?
Asked about this cohort at his press conference, Reform UK already had to admit that they would not be covered by these proposals. People with status under the EU Settlement Scheme would not have their settled status (ILR) removed and be forced to re-apply.
This is likely because even Reform UK would not be willing to face down the legal and geopolitical ramifications of breaching the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and retrospectively removing rights from 6 million people with status under that Agreement.
Of the approximately 10 million non-UK citizens with lawful residence status in the UK, the large majority (around 60%) are EU citizens and their family members with status that is protected by the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.
However, in the same breath, they proceeded to claim that this cohort’s access to welfare would be up for renegotiation. This shows ignorance of the substance of the Withdrawal Agreement which protects not only the right to live in the UK, but also the right to be treated equally with British citizens.
These rights are reciprocal - they protect both EU citizens living in the UK and British citizens in the EU - millions of us who used our right of free movement before Brexit pulled us out of the EU.
The truth about who is accessing welfare in the UK
When it comes to accessing welfare, migrants make up only 16% of welfare recipients. Migrant workers are less likely to need welfare support than British citizens, and many already do not have access to public funds.
EU citizens also make up 60% of all welfare claims from migrant communities. We are talking about people who, in a lot of cases, have been living in the UK for a long time, and either have fallen on hard times, or need support while in work.
These proposals are an attack on people who have made the UK their home, who are part and parcel of British life, who are the backbone of this country: from doctors and nurses, teachers and social workers, to unpaid carers, mothers and fathers, friends and neighbours.
Very worryingly, these proposals would undermine the integrity of the NHS, and put more money into the pockets of private companies, with people having to pay private health insurance. They would punish the families of Brits who have dared to fall in love with someone from abroad, pushing more fees onto working people.
At the end of the day, life in the UK shouldn’t be only for the rich. A serious government doesn’t play games with people’s lives.
A fair welfare system would support families and strengthen communities, preventing people ending up in crisis and easing the burden on services through prevention, while treating everyone with dignity and respect.
Are you tired of politicians talking about us, without us?
Join us for one of our upcoming meetings in October, to come together as a community, reconnect and share our experiences.
