Politics · United Kingdom · 2 hrs ago
Most respondents to UK immigration consultation were not British citizens
The Home Office asked for views on tougher rules for indefinite leave to remain, which allows people to live in the UK.
More than 200,000 people responded to the consultation.
About 73% were current visa holders, while 18% were British citizens.
The Home Office said the British respondents may have included visa holders’ spouses and family members.
The figures have prompted criticism from Conservatives, who say migrants had an interest in the outcome.
The figures show most respondents were not British citizens, a point that matters in the debate over who was consulted on immigration policy.
The information provided does not say what happens next with the consultation or the policy.
Official figures showed that British citizens made up 18 per cent of respondents to the Home Office consultation on proposed immigration rules.
More than 200,000 people responded, and 73 per cent were current visa holders.
The Home Office said the British respondents may have included spouses and family members of visa holders.
The figures also showed that 51 per cent of respondents identified as Asian or British Asian.
Conservative politicians and the Centre for Migration Control criticised the influence of non-citizens on immigration policy.
- Who
- More than 200,000 people responded to the Home Office consultation; 18 per cent were British citizens.
- What
- The Home Office published figures on respondents to its consultation on changes to indefinite leave to remain rules.
- When
- The figures were reported on 3 November 2026.
- Where
- The consultation concerned immigration policy in the UK.
- Why
- The consultation sought views to shape Labour's policy on indefinite leave to remain.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
More than 200,000 people responded to the Home Office consultation on indefinite leave to remain policy.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood made a statement in the Commons on changes to indefinite leave to remain policy.
The Daily Mail reported Home Office figures showing that 18 per cent of respondents were British citizens.
- Total respondents
- More than 200,000
- British citizens
- 18 per cent
- Current visa holders
- 73 per cent
- Asian or British Asian respondents
- 51 per cent
- White respondents
- 19 per cent
1 source
What people are saying
An astonishing 73 per cent of respondents to the Home Office consultation were migrants - who unsurprisingly said they wanted laxer rules.
Our immigration policy is now being decided by those who are not even citizens of this country.