King’s Speech

Lord Sahota Excerpts

Monday 18th May 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Sahota (Lab)]

My Lords, I will focus my remarks on the proposed changes to settlement rights for overseas workers. I recognise the need to balance compassion with control and fairness with sustainability. However, I must express my deep concern regarding the proposal to extend the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain for overseas workers from five to 10 years or even more, as the noble Lord, Lord Teverson, said.

These workers came here in good faith and at our invitation at a time when our nation faced acute shortages—and those shortages have not disappeared. They have worked tirelessly to support our elderly and vulnerable citizens, often in demanding and underappreciated roles. In doing so, they have become an integral part of our communities; they are no longer strangers but our neighbours, colleagues and friends. Their children attend our schools, they contribute to our local economies and they participate fully in community life. They have begun to build their futures here, with the understanding, based on existing policy, that after five years of lawful residence and service they would be eligible to settle here permanently. An accessible path to settlement is crucial to integration. Forcing people into a state of enduring temporariness and precariousness—not fully included in this society for over a decade—is a disaster for integration.

We must also acknowledge the financial and personal sacrifices that many of these workers have made. Many still carry substantial debts as a result. For some, once in this country, their exploitation and misery do not end there. Some British employers are aware of their vulnerability and abuse the control and power of sponsorship; such is the unacceptable face of exploitation and modern slavery in our country. If they complain about their rights being violated and report their plight to the authorities, they fear being placed on the first plane back home to their country of origin.

I understand the Government’s perspective that immigration must be brought down. I also understand how some of our citizens feel about higher levels of immigration. However, those levels have fallen significantly in recent times. Fairness and integrity have long been the hallmarks of our national character. Let us ensure that these values are reflected in our decision-making. I urge the Government to reconsider this proposal, to uphold their commitment to advancing integration and protecting workers from abuse and to maintain the original pathway to settlement for those who have already given so much in service to our society.