A recent analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) reveals that proposed changes to the UK Home Office’s settlement policy could result in over 300,000 children currently residing in the UK facing a wait of up to ten years for settled status. The report highlights that children make up almost a quarter (23%) of the 1.35 million individuals who are on routes to settlement, predominantly as dependants of parents or guardians on work visas. These findings have prompted concerns regarding the welfare and integration of these children into British society.

The proposed changes involve extending the period required for migrant workers to qualify for permanent settlement from five years to ten years. For individuals in lower-skilled jobs, such as care workers, this period may extend to 15 years. Such measures have been met with considerable backlash from MPs within the Labour party, with approximately 40 members expressing their dissent. They argue that implementing these retrospective changes undermines the rights of migrants, particularly those who have already established their lives in the UK, and label it as "un-British".

The implications of these proposed changes are significant, not only for the migrant community but also for the broader British society that depends on these workers, especially in sectors like healthcare and social services. The debate amidst Labour MPs shows a growing rift within the party regarding immigration policies, raising questions about how such policies align with the UK's values of fairness and support for vulnerable populations, particularly children who are long-term residents.