NATECLA’s response to UK Government 'Earned Settlement' proposals

"Wrong-headed in principle, unworkable in practice". NATECLA responds to UK Government 'Earned Settlement' proposals

NATECLA has voiced its opposition to the British Government's proposals to lengthen qualifying periods and ramp up English language requirements for Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain).

Responding to the recent Home Office consultation, NATECLA's Co-Chairs Naeema Hann and Paul Sceeny have criticised the proposals as wrong-headed in principle as well as unworkable in practice. They pit wealthy and privileged immigrants against those who have experienced forced migration, those with disabilities, those with caring responsibilities, those in socially useful but poorly-paid work, those not in a position to engage in performative measures of 'contribution', along with anyone else who finds themselves being 'punished' by these criteria.

Those in the latter categories are set to face years/decades of uncertainty over their status, with hefty visa renewal fees and a protracted sense of limbo that makes it almost impossible for individuals/families to plan ahead and will further hamper people's sense of belonging. Far from encouraging integration and cohesion, it will perpetuate the 'othering' of migrants and give credence to those peddling racial hatred and suggestions that people of colour "do not belong here". We note that over 120 organisations have signed the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants statement denouncing the Earned Settlement proposals as racist and classist.

The language requirements (raising the minimum to B2 of the CEFR and offering 'discounts' off the qualifying period for applicants who can demonstrate a higher level of English) further positions language learning as a gatekeeping device rather than a means of empowering people and communities. Much as we welcome the Prime Minister's recent comments that all who wish to learn English should be supported to do so, there's little detail about how that might happen in practice - especially when ESOL has borne the brunt of cuts to Adult Education in England over the last two decades and when one Strategic Authority intends to defund all adult ESOL provision.

Another egregious aspect of these proposals is the expectation that people applying for settled status should engage in voluntary work. Whilst there are many people who willingly volunteer for a whole host of reasons (including all of NATECLA's Trustees and Management Council members!), the idea that this should become conscripted or quasi-compulsory activity grossly distorts the whole principle of volunteering.

We are further concerned at the suggestion that people who gain permanent Settlement will still have No Recourse to Public Funds. Whilst we recognise this doesn't necessarily preclude their access to education, it will have a further chilling effect on integration and people's sense of belonging, as well as exacerbating many of the barriers to learning such as travel and childcare costs.

We urge the Government to think again about these proposals and dial down its migrant-bashing rhetoric. As educators, we work every day with people who are going through the immigration system, and we have first-hand experience of how the whole of society is enriched by multilingualism and multiculturalism.