Recommendation 35

The Home Office has said that changes to eligibility for settlement will begin to be implemented from April 2026 but has not given a clear timeline of when specific changes will be implemented. Key elements of the proposals that could have unintended consequences remain unclear and under- developed. The Home Office will need to implement significant changes to its systems, processes and staffing to deliver its new system of settlement. It is obvious that the Home Office is not in a position to fully implement changes of the scale proposed in its consultation from April 2026. Indicating that this is when the changes would be implemented has no doubt caused unnecessary distress among immigrants close to qualifying for settlement. (Conclusion, Paragraph 125)