00:00Finally, this consultation addresses the question of the so-called Boris wave, specifically the cohort of lower qualified workers who enter the country along with their dependents through the health and care visa, some of whom are never expected to be net economic contributors.
00:18It is right that we apply more stringent controls for this group, and for that reason we propose they should wait 15 years before they can earn settlement.
00:27Crucially, for these and every other group mentioned here, we propose these changes apply to everyone in the country today, who has not yet received indefinite leave to remain, though we are seeking views on whether there should be some transitional arrangements available.
00:44May I make one thing absolutely clear, though. We will not change the rules for those with settled status today.
00:52These are people who have been in our country for years, even decades.
00:58They have families here – wives, husbands, children.
01:01They have worked in our hospitals, taught in our schools and have been contributing to our society for years.
01:08Fairness is the most fundamental of British values.
01:12We made a promise when we gave them settlement, and we do not break our promises.
01:17The Reform Party, I note, not present today, have said they will do this most un-British of things.
01:24The Tories have said that they will, but then said that they won't.
01:27And I am left in as much of a muddle about their policy as they are, that perhaps the Shadow Home Secretary might enlighten the House today.
01:34But I can be clear that on this side of the House, we won't change the rules for those with settled status.
01:41Madam Deputy Speaker, as this consultation shows, we also listen to the British public, and I encourage all those interested to make their voices heard.
01:51Today, I have set out what we propose, and perhaps more importantly, why.
01:57I love this country, which opened its arms to my parents around 50 years ago.
02:03But I am concerned by the division I see now, fuelled by a pace and scale of change that is placing immense pressure on local communities.
02:12For those who believe that migration is part of modern Britain's story, and should always continue to be, we must prove that it can still work.
02:22That those who come here contribute, play their part, and enrich our national life.
02:28While each will always retain something of who they were and where they came from,
02:33they become a part of the greatest multi-ethnic, multi-faith democracy in the world.
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