Migrants on work visas who claim benefits will be barred from settling indefinitely in the UK, under Kemi Badenoch's first major policy announcement as Tory leader. Badenoch said the period before migrants can apply for indefinite leave to remain - which paves the way for British citizenship - should be extended from five to 10 years.

They will need to have been working for 10 years in UK without ever claiming benefits and earning at least £28,000 a year in today’s prices

The Conservatives have pledged to kick out low-paid and unemployed migrants from the UK. Arguing that citizenship should only go to people who have shown "a real commitment" to Britain, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch urged the Government to make it harder for immigrants to secure permanent residency or a UK passport.

The shadow home secretary Chris Philp clarified on Thursday how the Conservative policy on ILR applicants needing to show a net contribution to the UK economy would work. He told the BBC: "There will be a salary level that we say above that salary level you are likely to be making a net contribution.

Migrants would be blocked from obtaining indefinite leave to remain in the UK if they have claimed benefits or used social housing, under a new policy unveiled by the Conservative as they seek to blunt the threat posed by the rightwing Reform UK party.