Demos has published a new report urging the Government to involve the public more directly in shaping immigration reforms, arguing that this could help rebuild trust in the system.
The 47-page report, Settling Up: A New Deal to Unlock Immigration Reform and Build Trust, examines the Government’s proposed “earned settlement” reforms and places them within a broader climate of declining public confidence in political institutions. According to Demos, immigration remains one of the most politically sensitive and divisive issues in the UK, and public frustration is driven not only by migration numbers but by concerns about fairness, control, accountability and transparency.
The report argues that immigration policy has become a “lightning rod” for wider dissatisfaction with government performance. It highlights polling suggesting that around three quarters of the public have little or no confidence in the Government’s handling of immigration, with trust declining even among previous supporters.
While welcoming the idea of “earned settlement” as a framework based on contribution and responsibility, Demos questions how these principles are being translated into policy. It suggests that complex concepts such as integration, contribution and fairness are currently reduced to technical calculations – such as adjusting qualifying periods or eligibility thresholds – without sufficient public debate about what those values should mean in practice.
Although the Government has carried out formal consultations, the report argues that these processes often favour organised stakeholders and advocacy groups, rather than reflecting broader public reasoning. Demos contends that settlement and citizenship policy touches deeply held public values about national identity and belonging, and therefore should not be treated as purely administrative or technical matters.
A central recommendation of the report is the introduction of national deliberative public processes. Under this model, representative groups of citizens would review evidence, consider trade-offs and discuss value-based questions such as:
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What types of contribution should count towards settlement?
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How should economic, social and civic contributions be balanced?
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How should fairness apply across different visa routes and life circumstances?
Demos argues that structured public participation could help depolarise debate, clarify legislative meaning around contribution and integration, and produce reforms that command broader public consent.
The report concludes that there is an opportunity to rebuild legitimacy in the immigration system by creating a new “deal” between the state and citizens – one where immigration policy is shaped not only by technical criteria, but also by shared public values.
LawSentis View:
At LawSentis, we recognise that immigration policy must balance public confidence with legal certainty and fairness.
Reforms to settlement rules must remain clear, predictable and legally robust. Applicants need transparent requirements, consistent Home Office decision-making and defined criteria for settlement and citizenship. While greater public engagement may strengthen legitimacy, any new framework must avoid creating ambiguity or discretionary standards that lead to inconsistent outcomes.
As an IAA Level 3 regulated UK immigration firm, LawSentis supports reforms that are practical, proportionate and legally sound – ensuring confidence both for applicants and the wider public.