The government has proposed an “earned settlement” scheme, which may alter the thresholds and principles of the current settlement pathway. This consultation is not merely a formality; it represents a significant direction. Silence, to some extent, equates to acquiescence.
The consultation will conclude on February 12, 2026 (Thursday). I urge everyone to take five minutes to fill it out; the link is in the first comment.
You do not need to answer every question. If you are unsure, you may leave it blank or choose “Don’t know / prefer not to say.” The act of filling it out itself represents a stance.
If you find you cannot complete the form (for instance, if a household member has already submitted it), you can switch to your mobile personal hotspot, use public Wi-Fi, or enable a VPN.
Below are my responses to specific questions for your reference. The guiding principle is simple: uphold existing commitments and oppose retroactive changes.
Overall, how clear do you find the proposed changes to the settlement framework? Neither clear nor unclear (to prevent the Home Office from filtering out unclear responses).
Are there any other groups that you think should be exempt from the requirement to have earned above £12,570 for at least 3 to 5 years? BN(O) status holders and their family members.
To what extent do you agree or disagree that once someone has been granted settlement in the UK, they should be eligible to claim public funds (e.g., benefits and housing assistance)? Strongly agree.
To what extent do you agree or disagree that there should not be transitional arrangements for those already on a pathway to settlement? Strongly disagree.
Are there any other vulnerable groups that you think should be considered as part of this consultation? BN(O) status holders and their family members.
To what extent do you agree or disagree that dependent partners of migrants should earn settlement in their own right? Strongly disagree.
To what extent do you agree or disagree that dependent children of migrants should earn settlement in their own right? (with employment-related requirements waived if they were admitted as a dependent under 18) Strongly disagree.
Do you have any further comments on how specific groups should be considered in relation to settlement? We particularly welcome views on how the proposed changes could affect children in the UK. BN(O) status holders and their families should be exempt from the proposed “earned settlement” scheme, in the same way as those under the EU Settlement Scheme. The BN(O) route was established as a clear humanitarian pathway to settlement, reflecting the UK’s historical and moral obligations to Hong Kong, and it should not be altered.
Settlement should not become a temporary commitment, nor should it be retroactively intensified.
If you have opinions, you must voice them.
If you have rights, you must exercise them.
Please spread the word and remind those around you to fill it out together.
The link is in the first comment. #BNO #UKPolicy #Settlement #Immigration #Consultation
