We have written to the Home Secretary to strongly oppose the UK Government’s A Fairer Pathway to Settlement proposals (the ‘earned settlement proposals’) and express deep concern that they risk causing harm, undermining the rule of law, and raise serious questions about compliance with international rights obligations.

The ‘earned settlement’ plans are complex and punitive, and risk increasing precarity and exploitation for migrants and refugees. Measuring “contribution” mainly in fiscal terms ignores real, lived contributions and devalues essential work, including social care.

We are also concerned about proposals to extend the no recourse to public funds condition and create further barriers for dependants and children, which risk pushing more families into poverty and undermining integration. The consultation process itself is flawed, with no published Equality Impact Assessment or Children’s Rights Impact Assessment, and the consultation is only available in English, not in any other language or Easy Read format.

Applying these changes to people already on a path to settlement would be unjust and contrary to the rule of law and would represent a significant and indefensible moving of the goal posts.

Everyone has the right to live with dignity and to participate and thrive in their community.

Read the full letter here.

Background image by Laura Mayer