UNHCR criticises UK’s 30-year ‘earned settlement’ plans for refugees

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood maintains rigorous rules for those who arrive on small boats

The United Nations refugee agency has said a government plan to make refugees wait up to 30 years before they get permission to settle in the UK “raises significant concerns”.

The strategy was unveiled earlier this week by Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, as she announced a softening of aspects of her immigration plans, but kept some of the rigorous rules drawn up by her office last year.

Mahmood introduced a carve-out for care workers to allow them to apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years, but maintained rules to make those who arrived by irregular means such as small boats having to wait up to 30 years.