We’re in the midst of a radical overhaul to the rules governing settlement in the UK. As the Labour government shifts towards an ‘earned settlement’ model, which scores people on their income, perceived value and contribution to British life, it’s consulting on wider reforms to indefinite leave to remain (IRL).

The biggest change is doubling the number of years someone must live in the UK before they qualify for permanent residence from five years to 10. A harsher baseline of 15 years will apply for care workers – who the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, called “low-skilled and low-wage migrants” – and 20 years for refugees.

English language and minimum earning requirements will increase. Those who have ever legally claimed benefits will be penalised with extra years for having done so. Meanwhile, those who can demonstrate an “outsized contribution to our national life” by being a higher earner or through volunteering, will qualify for settlement earlier.