High standard of English to be required for leave to remain, Mahmood to pledge

Home secretary to set out proposed tougher conditions including not taking benefits and spotless' criminal record

Criminals and people who cannot speak English to a high standard" will be denied permission to settle in the UK, Shabana Mahmood will announce on Monday, in proposals intended to contain the growing electoral threat from Reform UK.

In a speech framing herself as a tough home secretary", Mahmood will say people seeking indefinite leave to remain (ILR) will have to demonstrate they have integrated and contributed" to society through national insurance payments and voluntary work, and not relied on benefits.