Labour Immigration Policy 2026: Blair to Starmer

The Labour Party’s approach to immigration has changed over time, reflecting economic conditions, public debate and the UK’s changing relationship with Europe.

Since entering government in July 2024, Labour has placed immigration at the centre of its policy programme. Reforms have been delivered through successive policy statements and Rules amendments rather than a single consolidated programme.  The cumulative effect has been a more restrictive and closely managed framework than that inherited in 2024, which, for employers and individuals, has created a period of ongoing adjustment.

This article explains how Labour’s immigration policy developed across the 1997–2010 Labour governments, how the party’s approach shifted during opposition and how Labour’s post-July 2024 programme has changed legal migration, settlement planning and border processes.

Section A: Labour Immigration Policy 2026

A significant part of the UK’s current immigration framework originates in the Labour governments that held office between 1997 and 2010.

Within that period, Tony Blair’s premiership (1997–2007) is often regarded as the defining phase because it set the political direction and made key choices on labour market openness, especially around EU enlargement.

Several major reforms then continued to develop under Gordon Brown’s premiership (2007–2010), including the launch and phased implementation of the points-based system.

Since forming government on 5 July 2024, the current Labour government has implemented a series of immigration policy measures. The government published the “Restoring control over the immigration system” White Paper in May 2025 and implemented Immigration Rules changes taking effect from 22 July 2025, including tighter Skilled Worker eligibility and an end to overseas recruitment for social care roles. The post-2024 programme has also included border enforcement and digital travel permission reform. Settlement reform proposals developed during 2025, often described as “earned settlement”, would mean a move towards more conditional progression to permanent residence, based on contribution and not primarily residence.

Section B: Labour Immigration Policy Under the 1997–2010 Labour Governments

The period from 1997 to 2010 covered two Labour premierships and a policy framework that is often described collectively as the “Blair era”. Tony Blair served as Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007. Gordon Brown succeeded him and remained in office until 2010. Immigration policy during this period developed in stages. Blair’s government set the political direction, while later reforms, including the launch of the points-based system, were implemented under Brown.

The central policy assumption across the 1997–2010 Labour governments was that migration formed part of a broader economic modernisation strategy. The government framed labour mobility as a means of supporting growth and addressing sector-specific shortages. Immigration policy operated within the constitutional framework of EU free movement and a separate system governing non-EEA nationals.

1. Political and Economic Context (1997–2007)

When Labour entered government in 1997, the United Kingdom was emerging from the economic instability of the early 1990s. The policy platform emphasised modernisation, international competitiveness and integration with European markets. Within that context, labour mobility was viewed as compatible with economic expansion.

EU free movement rights applied throughout this period. The most consequential decision came in 2004, when ten new states joined the European Union. Unlike several other large member states, the UK chose not to apply transitional labour market controls to workers from those accession countries. The decision enabled immediate access to the UK labour market for nationals of those states. The result was a marked increase in inward migration from Central and Eastern Europe.

The policy choice was lawful within EU treaty obligations and consistent with the government’s wider economic positioning. Debate later focused on forecasting, integration capacity and the pace of demographic change, themes that continue to shape how Labour’s 1997–2010 record is assessed.

2. Development of a Rules-Based Framework for Non-EEA Migration

Alongside EU free movement, non-EEA migration continued to operate under domestic immigration rules. In 2008, during Gordon Brown’s premiership, the government launched the points-based system. The system was introduced in phases and replaced multiple existing work and study routes with a tier model.

The points-based system assessed applicants against defined criteria, including skill level, sponsorship and qualifications. Its stated objective was to create a clearer mechanism for selecting applicants outside the EU while maintaining access to global talent. Although often associated with the broader 1997–2010 Labour period, the system itself was launched after Blair left office.

3. Economic Contribution and Public Debate

Research published during and after this period indicated that migration contributed to labour supply, fiscal revenues and sectoral resilience, particularly in healthcare, construction and hospitality. At the same time, rapid increases in migration flows generated sustained debate over pressures on housing, schools and local services in certain regions.

Criticism often centred on the scale and speed of change rather than on the legality of the underlying framework. Forecasting assumptions relating to EU accession migration were later shown to have underestimated inflows. That discrepancy became politically significant and shaped subsequent debates on migration management.

The 1997–2010 Labour governments therefore combined expansion of intra-EU labour mobility with the introduction of a selection system for non-EEA nationals. The legacy of that period remains visible in the continued reliance on a points-based architecture and in the more restrictive recalibration pursued after 2024, including tighter Skilled Worker eligibility and stronger constraints on overseas recruitment in social care.

Section C: Labour in Opposition and Constitutional Reset (2010–2020)

The period from 2010 to 2020 marked a decade in which Labour was in opposition and immigration policy was shaped less by legislative initiative and more by political recalibration. The institutional framework established between 1997 and 2010 remained in force. However, public debate intensified, and the constitutional basis of immigration policy shifted following the 2016 referendum on EU membership.

During these years, Labour’s position evolved against a backdrop of rising concern over migration levels, pressures on public services and widening political polarisation. The issue became increasingly intertwined with debates over sovereignty, economic resilience and border control.

1. Leadership Under Ed Miliband (2010–2015)

Ed Miliband became Leader of the Labour Party in September 2010. His leadership period followed the end of thirteen years of Labour government and coincided with growing scrutiny of the 2004 decision not to apply transitional controls to EU accession states.

Labour acknowledged that migration forecasts relating to EU enlargement had underestimated inflows. The party sought to adjust its tone by recognising concerns around integration, housing and local service capacity while maintaining support for EU membership and the principle of free movement, which continued to apply as a matter of treaty law.

The policy emphasis shifted towards enforcement against exploitation in the labour market and fair wages, rather than dismantling the free movement framework. Immigration became part of a broader narrative concerning economic inequality and regional disparity.

2. Leadership Under Jeremy Corbyn (2015–2020)

Jeremy Corbyn assumed the leadership in September 2015. His approach introduced a more explicitly rights-based framing of immigration, emphasising non-discrimination and protection for people seeking refuge. The party continued to support EU membership and freedom of movement prior to the Brexit referendum.

The referendum held in June 2016 fundamentally altered the constitutional setting. The vote to leave the European Union meant that EU free movement would end following the transition period. Immigration policy would thereafter operate solely under domestic legislation and the Immigration Rules.

During this period, Labour’s internal divisions over Brexit affected how the party articulated its immigration position. The debate extended beyond labour market management to questions of sovereignty, trade and constitutional design. The focus of immigration policy discussion shifted from expansion of intra-EU mobility to the structure of a post-Brexit system.

3. End of Free Movement and the Unified Points-Based System

The end of EU free movement, implemented after the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, consolidated control of immigration policy within domestic law. EU nationals arriving after the transition period became subject to the same points-based criteria as non-EU nationals.

The system originally introduced in 2008 for non-EEA migration therefore became the single framework governing work routes. By the time Sir Keir Starmer became Labour leader in April 2020, the constitutional question of EU mobility had been resolved. The policy debate concerned calibration of the points-based system rather than participation in free movement.

The 2010–2020 period thus represents a constitutional reset. Labour moved from defending a record associated with EU labour mobility to defining its position within a sovereign immigration framework. That shift set the conditions for the post-July 2024 programme, which has centred on tightening Skilled Worker eligibility, reducing overseas recruitment in social care and linking migration policy to domestic workforce planning.

Section D: Labour’s Immigration Policy Under Sir Keir Starmer (2020–Present)

Sir Keir Starmer became Leader of the Labour Party in April 2020, at a point when EU free movement was ending and the unified points-based system was being implemented. The constitutional framework had shifted. Immigration policy was no longer shaped by EU treaty rights. It was governed entirely by domestic legislation and the Immigration Rules.

Between 2020 and July 2024, Labour did not propose dismantling the post-Brexit points-based structure. Instead, it framed immigration policy around management, enforcement credibility and alignment with domestic labour market planning. The emphasis moved from defending free movement to calibrating a sovereign system.

Since forming government on 5 July 2024, that framing has translated into published policy and Immigration Rules amendments.

1. The May 2025 Immigration White Paper

In May 2025, the government published its White Paper, “Restoring control over the immigration system”. The document set out a policy direction focused on reducing net migration, tightening access to certain work routes and linking immigration more directly to domestic skills development.

The White Paper did not replace the points-based architecture. Instead, it proposed adjustments within that structure, including a narrowing of eligible roles under the Skilled Worker route and greater emphasis on domestic training provision. Immigration policy was framed as part of a broader workforce strategy rather than as a standalone economic lever.

2. Immigration Rules Changes Effective 22 July 2025

The first significant implementation phase followed through Immigration Rules changes that took effect from 22 July 2025. These amendments included a reduction in the list of occupations eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship and the closure of overseas recruitment for social care workers.

The changes represented a substantive tightening of route access rather than a rhetorical adjustment. Employers operating in affected sectors were required to reassess recruitment strategies. The focus shifted towards domestic workforce planning and compliance oversight.

Although the underlying sponsorship system remained intact, the eligibility perimeter narrowed. The effect was to reduce inflows through specific channels rather than to redesign the system in its entirety.

3. Settlement Reform and “Earned” Residence

During 2025, the government also developed proposals around settlement reform, frequently described in policy statements as “earned settlement”. The stated intention was to raise expectations around contribution, integration and compliance before permanent residence is granted.

While not yet implemented as a wholesale legislative overhaul, the direction of reform has been towards a more conditional model of long-term residence. The emphasis lies on contribution-based progression rather than automatic transition after a fixed period of leave.

4. Border Security and ETA Enforcement

On border operations, the Home Secretary announced the first steps towards establishing a Border Security Command in July 2024. The measure formed part of the policy shift away from the Rwanda relocation scheme and towards coordinated disruption of organised smuggling networks linked to unauthorised Channel crossings.

In parallel, the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme has moved into its enforcement phase. From 25 February 2026, carriers are required to prevent boarding by passengers who do not hold the necessary digital permission to travel. The policy operates on a “no permission, no travel” basis and extends pre-departure screening obligations to transport operators.

5. Net Migration Objective and Administrative Delivery

The government has stated that reducing net migration over time is a policy objective. The mechanism has not been a single cap or headline legislative change. Instead, it has involved route-specific tightening, closure of particular recruitment pathways and reinforcement of compliance expectations.

In the asylum system, the focus has remained on reducing backlogs and improving administrative throughput rather than redefining the criteria for refugee protection. The legal framework continues to be governed by domestic legislation and international obligations. The emphasis has been on delivery capacity and enforcement coordination.

By early 2026, Labour’s immigration policy has been defined more by recalibration within an existing framework, as the points-based model introduced in 2008 continues to underpin work migration.

That said, since 2024, policy decisions have seen eligibility narrowed, enforcement given greater focus and border control becoming increasingly reliant on digital permission to travel.

Section E: Summary

Labour immigration policy has developed across constitutional and political phases. Between 1997 and 2010, Labour governments expanded labour mobility within the framework of EU free movement and introduced the points-based system for non-EEA migration. That period combined economic openness with the creation of a structured eligibility model that continues to underpin work migration today.

Between 2010 and 2020, while in opposition, Labour reassessed its position against a backdrop of rising political scrutiny and the constitutional consequences of Brexit. The end of EU free movement consolidated immigration control within domestic law and transformed the legal landscape in which policy would operate.

Since forming government on 5 July 2024, Labour has moved from policy positioning to implementation. The May 2025 White Paper set out an objective of reducing net migration and tightening access to certain work routes. Immigration Rules changes effective from 22 July 2025 narrowed the Skilled Worker occupation list and ended overseas recruitment for social care roles. Border policy has shifted towards coordinated enforcement through the announced Border Security Command, and digital pre-departure control has been strengthened through carrier enforcement of the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme from 25 February 2026.

By early 2026, the defining features of Labour’s immigration policy are therefore recalibration and enforcement rather than structural redesign. The points-based system introduced in 2008 remains intact. What has changed is the scope of eligibility, the conditional framing of settlement and the integration of immigration control with domestic workforce planning and digital border systems.

Section F: FAQs

What is Labour immigration policy in 2026?

Labour immigration policy in 2026 operates within a domestic points-based framework introduced after Brexit. The current government has stated that it supports skills-based migration where it meets defined economic needs, while also seeking to reduce net migration over time through workforce development, enforcement measures and closer administrative oversight.

Did Tony Blair introduce the points-based system?

The points-based system was launched in 2008 under Gordon Brown’s premiership, although it is often associated with the broader 1997–2010 Labour period. Tony Blair’s government set much of the political direction during that era, including the decision not to impose transitional controls on workers from the 2004 EU accession states.

How did Brexit change Labour’s immigration position?

Brexit ended EU free movement and placed full control of immigration policy within domestic legislation. Labour’s current position operates within that post-Brexit framework. Migration from the European Union is now governed by the same points-based criteria as migration from other countries.

Has Labour abolished the Rwanda asylum policy?

Yes. After taking office in July 2024, the Labour government discontinued the Rwanda relocation policy introduced by the previous administration. It has instead announced steps towards establishing a Border Security Command and emphasised disruption of smuggling networks and reduction of asylum backlogs.

Is Labour trying to reduce net migration?

The government has stated that reducing net migration over time forms part of its policy objectives. It has linked this goal to domestic skills development, closer regulation of sponsorship compliance and strengthened border enforcement, rather than to a single legislative change.

Does Labour support skilled worker migration?

Labour supports a skills-based immigration system that permits entry for workers who meet defined criteria under the Immigration Rules. The current administration has framed this approach as necessary to address sectoral shortages while seeking to manage overall migration levels.

What is the Border Security Command?

The Border Security Command is a proposed operational structure announced in July 2024. It is intended to coordinate intelligence and enforcement activity against organised smuggling and trafficking networks linked to unauthorised Channel crossings.

How does Labour’s current approach differ from the 1997–2010 period?

The 1997–2010 Labour governments operated within EU free movement and expanded labour mobility, particularly following the 2004 enlargement of the European Union. The current government operates within a post-Brexit system and places greater emphasis on migration management, enforcement coordination and alignment with domestic workforce planning.

Section G: Glossary

Section H: Useful Links