Thousands of Migrants Granted Settlement Despite Crackdown Promises

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 19, 2026

Nearly 200,000 migrants received indefinite leave to remain in the UK in the year ending June, a 24% increase from the previous year despite Labour's promises to tighten immigration rules. Critics argue this rise undermines planned reforms intended to reduce approvals and save the government £10 billion, with the Home Office yet to clarify its enforcement approach.

Nearly 200,000 migrants were granted indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the United Kingdom during the 12 months ending in June, marking a 24 percent increase compared to the previous year. This surge in settlement approvals has occurred despite recent promises from the Labour Party to tighten immigration controls.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philip criticized the current Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, for not enforcing planned changes aimed at reducing the number of migrants granted ILR. Philip asserted that Mahmood has acknowledged the necessity of these reforms, which are projected to save the government approximately £10 billion, but has yet to implement them.

The data signals a continued rise in the number of migrants obtaining permanent residency status, raising questions about the effectiveness of the government’s stated commitment to immigration reform and control. The Home Office has yet to provide detailed comments on these figures or clarify its enforcement strategies moving forward.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.