AdviceUK, the largest network of free and independent advice services, has responded to the Home Office’s “A Fairer Pathway to Settlement” consultation, fundamentally rejecting the proposals, and has urged the Government to drop them. Drawing on the experiences of its members who provide frontline immigration advice, AdviceUK warns that the proposals will increase insecurity and inequality for migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers and their families, while placing additional demand on already overstretched advice services that won’t be able to meet the needs of those seeking support. The organisation also fears that the proposals will fuel and legitimise hostility towards advice services and the people they support.
AdviceUK convened a roundtable with 22 member organisations across England providing frontline immigration advice, supporting asylum seekers, refugees, long‑settled migrants, families with no recourse to public funds, survivors of trafficking, and people with long‑term health conditions and disabilities, many of whom will be disproportionately impacted by the proposals.
Members’ overarching concern is that the earned settlement framework would shift the system away from predictable routes and towards prolonged uncertainty and punishment. Extending the qualifying period to up to 30 years, risks leaving people in precarious status for much of their working lives. Further, income thresholds discriminate against those unable to work or earn at high levels, including carers, advice workers, and people with disabilities or long‑term health issues.
AdviceUK has warned that the proposed penalties linked to accessing public funds would deter families from seeking lawful support, with serious consequences for child welfare, domestic abuse responses and public health. Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London (RAMFEL) has supported a mother of three who, one year away from indefinite leave to remain, has already cancelled the universal credit support for her autistic daughter over fear that the proposals would add twenty years to her qualifying period.
The proposal on irregular arrivals is also concerning. People fleeing dangerous situations often have no safe and legal routes to reach the UK. As the UK is a founding member of the 1951 Refugee Convention, AdviceUK urges the Government to respect the rights of refugees to claim asylum in the UK.
AdviceUK’s case management system, AdvicePro, which is used by much of the advice sector, shows that since April 2024, there have been over 77,000 cases related to immigration and asylum, a 21% increase from 2023. At a time when advice services are already under intense strain, proposals that extend settlement routes, increase complexity, and introduce new penalties and evidential requirements will place additional demand on advice services. Our members tell us that they are not confident they can meet that demand.
AdviceUK also raised concerns about the proposals to accelerate applications based on volunteering. It risks forcing individuals to volunteer where they cannot do so and puts pressure on advice services to accept more volunteers when they may not have the capacity to do so.
Member organisations described incidents including harassment, intimidation and online abuse. They fear the proposals would further fuel the hostile environment for them and the people they support.
Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network (LRMN) primarily support refugees, people seeking asylum, and migrants with insecure or temporary immigration status. Alan Robertson, its CEO, said:
“Many of our clients have experienced trauma, displacement, persecution, or family separation, and already face huge barriers in the UK. We do not believe additional barriers should be put in place by the Government.
“We are particularly concerned that these changes will increase the number of people at risk of destitution, especially those with refused claims who cannot be removed, those awaiting settlement decisions, and those with no recourse to public funds. This would not only harm individuals but also place additional pressure on organisations like LRMN.
“We envisage a substantial increase in demand for legal advice, emergency support, and advocacy. At a time when the sector is already under pressure, these changes will embed racism, make it significantly more difficult to stabilise clients, support integration, and promote community cohesion.”
Sarah MacFadyen, Head of Policy, Programmes and Media at AdviceUK said:
“For the people our members support, the proposed changes would mean longer periods of uncertainty, heightened risk of destitution, and reduced willingness to engage with public services and support systems. For advice services, it would mean increased demand, greater complexity, and intensified pressure on a workforce that is already overstretched and experiencing high levels of burnout.
“AdviceUK therefore fundamentally rejects these proposals. We urge the Government to withdraw them and work closely with the advice and immigration sectors to ensure that any future immigration and settlement policies support fairness.”
Notes to Editors
Case studies: Alongside LRMN who was quoted in the press release, the following organisations are available for media interviews.
1. African Rainbow Family
African Rainbow Family supports LGBTIQ+ refugees and people seeking asylum of African heritage and the Global Majority. Aderonke Apata, its founder and CEO, said:
“LGBTIQ+ refugees who have fled violence, discrimination and criminalisation need long‑term stability. A clear, achievable pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years is essential to uphold the UK’s humanitarian and anti‑discrimination commitments.
“Since the Home Secretary’s November 2025 announcement on renewing refugee status every 30 months, demand for our services has almost doubled, leaving our caseworkers struggling to meet demand. Many LGBTIQ+ refugees report chronic insecurity due to temporary protection statuses, compounding mental health stress and barriers to rebuilding their lives. With the current proposals on ‘earned settlement’, the situation will only get worse.”
2. Brushstrokes Community Project
Brushstrokes Community Project supports refugees and migrants across Sandwell, West Birmingham and beyond. Immigration legal advisor Salman Mirza, who has been practising immigration law for over 25 years, said:
“The government is proposing to keep more people — who are already living and working in the UK — on temporary visas for longer periods of time.
“For those already on the 10‑year routes, many have experienced exploitation by employers, including some whose sponsorship licences were later revoked, as well as by unscrupulous legal advisers. Families often find themselves without valid visas because they cannot afford the renewal fees or access affordable legal advice.
“Others on the 10‑year route have been dismissed from jobs or unable to secure work between visa renewals, even though they retain the legal right to work.
“We have seen thousands of people suffering hardships due to their legal immigration status — many of whom are working. How can this be right for them, or for the thousands more who may soon be placed on even longer routes to settlement?”
Ceren Gunel, Press Officer: press@adviceuk.org.uk or 07955 296206
