London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – London Mayor Sadiq Khan slammed Nigel Farage’s migrant visa plans as unacceptable, warning they could harm London’s diverse and multicultural community.
As reported by The Standard, Sir Sadiq Khan condemned Reform UK’s plan to end migrants’ rights to permanent residency after five years and limit their access to benefits.
Nigel Farage revealed that Reform UK plans to scrap indefinite leave to remain, requiring migrants to renew visas instead of applying after five years.
Mr Khan described the plans as “unacceptable,” warning they would impact thousands of Londoners who contribute significantly to the capital.
What did Sadiq Khan say about Nigel Farage’s migrant visa plans?
Sir Sadiq Khan stated,
“Thousands of Londoners have indefinite leave to remain. They have legal rights and are our friends, neighbours and colleagues, contributing hugely to our city.”
He added,
“Threatening to deport people living and working here legally is unacceptable.”
What did Nigel Farage say about Sadiq Khan’s migrant criticism?
At a London press conference on Monday, Nigel Farage said Reform UK plans to cut welfare spending while ending migrants’ access to benefits and scrapping indefinite leave to remain.
In response to the London Mayor’s comments, Mr Farage said Reform UK will ‘do battle’ with Sir Sadiq in next year’s local elections.
He added,
“What about the [immigrants] that have never worked, and never will work.”
What did Nigel Farage say about migration and the ‘Boris Wave’?
Reform UK leader said,
“What about having an honest debate about those we’ve let into this country, many of whom are great people, fine, we understand that, but too many of whom are not.”
He stated,
“We have totally misunderstood what a work permit, what a work visa is, it’s been a back door to full time settlement.”
Mr Farage pointed to the number of migrants who arrived under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, describing them as the “greatest betrayal of democratic expectations in recent memory.”
He said,
“Far too many that have come don’t work, have never worked and never will work. The ability to bring dependents of all kinds, and when you realise that most that come are very low skilled, and on very low wages, you start to get a very very different picture. In fact, you start to get a massive benefits bill.”
The Reform leader stated,
“In particular what we’re focusing on this morning is the ‘Boris wave’. The Boris wave, after his huge victory in 2019. And I think the millions that came in the years of his premiership, represents the greatest betrayal of democratic wishes certainly in anyone’s living memory.”
He added,
“This is not what Brexit voters wanted, and it’s certainly not what any Conservative voter wanted from 2010 onwards. Where at an election, after an election, after an election, they were promised that net migration would come down to tens of thousands a year, and we learn it was up to – in the worst year – a million.”
What did Nigel Farage say about the Channel crisis and immigration?
Nigel Farage said the Channel crisis was “visible and there for all to see”, stating,
“The issue’s become a very big national issue and people are worried as we saw with the Bell hotel in Epping. They’re worried about crime, they’re worried about national security.”
He stated,
“There has not been a proper debate on legal immigration because all the so-called main political parties have agreed. Both Labour and Conservative governments have been happy to have open-door migration […] That is why we’ve not had a proper, full national debate about this.”
Mr Farage added,
“What we are attempting to do today is to make people realise that large-scale migration into Britain where 50 per cent of those who come at least will never work and live off the state is actually making this country substantially poorer. We’ve got to have that debate. Quite how Labour and the Conservatives will defend themselves against this, I don’t know.”
What did Zia Yusuf say about Reform UK’s new skills visa?
Zia Yusuf, Reform UK’s head of policy, said Reform UK would launch an “acute skills shortage visa” with strict numerical limits.
He stated,
“Any employer that is sponsoring via this visa will have to pay a levy that is in turn spent on training the equivalent British worker for that role.”
Mr Yusuf explained that urgent national critical roles would be filled, but the strategy seeks to expand British talent over time.
He added,
“[Our policies] can be summed up by the statement that a Reform government under Nigel expects migrants to more than pay their way, not commit crime and ultimately to speak English and contribute to this country.”
What did Zia Yusuf say about the Tories and the ‘Boriswave’?
Zia Yusuf claimed the Tories are “turning up as firefighters to their own arson” and said the “Boriswave” of legal migration would be stopped under a Reform government.
He said,
“There are people who go back to this country and contribute […] My mother has worked in care homes for years, still works in care homes to this day and she’s over 70.”
Mr Yusuf added,
“And I will tell you this, inside care homes no-one is more aware of the widespread atrocious abuse of the care home visa system that has happened over the past few years.”
What did Labour MP Natasha Irons say about Nigel Farage’s policy?
Labour MP Natasha Irons slammed Nigel Farage’s proposal to scrap welfare for foreign workers, calling it “racist.”
The Croydon East MP reposted Andrew Fisher’s message on X, describing working side by side with a foreign national for five years.
Key facts about the illegal migrants in the UK
In the year ending March 2025, 44,125 irregular arrivals were detected in the UK, with 86% crossing the English Channel by small boats. Most arrivals were adult males, mainly from Afghanistan, Syria, and Eritrea.
Migrants can become unauthorised by entering illegally, overstaying visas, or after asylum refusals. Exact numbers of those living without permission remain unclear.