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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Rajeev Syal Home affairs editor

High standard of English to be required for leave to remain, Mahmood to pledge

Shabana Mahmmod smiles as she walks and carries a bag over her shoulder
Shabana Mahmood will say at the Labour conference she will be a ‘tough Labour home secretary, fighting for a vision of this country that is distinctly our own.’ Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Criminals and people who cannot speak English to “a high standard” will be denied permission to settle in the UK, Shabana Mahmood will announce on Monday, in proposals intended to contain the growing electoral threat from Reform UK.

In a speech framing herself as a “tough home secretary”, Mahmood will say people seeking indefinite leave to remain (ILR) will have to demonstrate they have integrated and “contributed” to society through national insurance payments and voluntary work, and not relied on benefits.

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