Tuesday 23 September 2025

Following Reform UK’s recent press conference, the party has published ‘Prioritising UK Citizens’, outlining proposals to abolish indefinite leave to remain and restrict access to the benefits system and citizenship.

Sophie Barrett-Brown (Senior Partner and Head of UK Practice) and Matthew Wills (Partner) have commented to the media about concerns arising from these policy proposals.

In a Bloomberg article entitled ‘Farage Dodges City Worries With Plan to Ax UK Settlement Rights’:

‘This will have a disincentive impact on the brightest and the best,’, said Sophie Barrett-Brown, senior partner at law firm Laura Devine Immigration, who noted that high earners are often attracted to the UK by possibility of putting down roots, buying houses and sending their children to world-class universities. She added that many will also be reluctant to give up citizenship in their countries of origin for reasons including property rights and the need to look after relatives.

In a Personnel Today article entitled ‘Reform plans to scrap indefinite leave to remain “outrageous”‘:

‘Matthew Wills, partner at Laura Devine Immigration, said: “It has long been the UK’s stated policy intention to attract the ‘brightest and best’ global talent. Introducing an immigration system whereby it is no longer possible for migrants to secure any form of permanence will undoubtedly render the UK a less attractive destination for international talent and disincentivise individuals of this profile from investing in the UK.

“Further, the expense for employers seeking to recruit from an international workforce will be exorbitant given that sponsorship (and the corresponding costs) would seemingly be required on an indefinite basis, leading to a higher risk of exploitation,” he added.’

In a Daily Mail article entitled ‘Nigel Farage pledges welfare cuts to halt flow of cheap overseas labour to boost wages for British citizens under ‘very bold’ Reform plan to restrict legal migration’:

‘Matthew Wills, partner at law firm Laura Devine Immigration, added: ‘Rescinding the status of migrants who have entirely legitimately secured an indefinite UK immigration status fundamentally undermines the rule of law.’

You can read the full Bloomberg article here, the Personnel Today article here and the Daily Mail article here.