Immigration: Earned Settlement

Debate between Shabana Mahmood and Chris Hinchliff

Monday 2nd November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Shabana Mahmood]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Fairness to all is what underpins these reforms—not just to those who arrived here lawfully to work, but to those who are already here, and who pay for the systems we all depend on.

[Chris Hinchliff (North East Hertfordshire) (Lab)]

Almost everyone in my constituency who speaks to me about immigration says that they welcome those who come to work hard in our country and play by the rules. As the Home Secretary knows, though, many of those workers across multiple sectors of the economy face significant exploitation from their visa sponsors. She referred to helping workers break away from rogue employers; will she meet those of us who are interested in introducing a certificate of common sponsorship to resolve this problem?