The £100k Question: Is Britain Driving Out Its Top Taxpayers?

A new political pledge from Reform UK is creating a climate of fear and uncertainty for tens of thousands of people who have legally made Britain their home. The party's proposal to abolish Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)—a crucial step toward permanent residency—has sparked alarm among long-term, high-value contributors to the UK economy.

For one couple, Kushal Sureka, 35, and his wife, Preety Jalan, 34, the plan threatens to dismantle the life they've carefully built. Originally from India, they moved to the UK in January 2020 on skilled worker visas and have since established themselves as chartered accountants. They've lived and worked in Farnborough, Hampshire, for five years, recently received ILR, and welcomed a son who is a British citizen.

 "We are not claimants. We are givers—investors in this country's prosperity, its institutions, and its future," Sureka stated. "And yet, we now find ourselves facing fear and uncertainty because of the rhetoric Reform are spreading."

The couple, who together pay more than £100,000 in taxes each year, argue they are the kind of people the UK needs to attract and retain. They've also spent tens of thousands on visa applications without relying on public funds, volunteer in their community, and funnel their earnings back into the UK economy.

A 'Betrayal of Democracy' or a Threat to Stability?

Reform UK's leader, Nigel Farage, has claimed that the existing ILR system "betrayed democracy" and has pledged to replace it with a new system where migrants would need to reapply for visas every five years, effectively creating a state of permanent temporary residency. This would strip away the stability that families like the Surekas have worked for.

"If this plan was absolutely coming into place, we will move," Sureka said, explaining that their family needs stability to thrive. They worry a cycle of indefinite visa renewal would leave them in constant insecurity.

The couple's concerns are not just emotional. They have significant financial investments in the UK, including a home and pensions. They are unsure what would happen to these assets if they were forced to leave. Furthermore, their four-month-old son, a British citizen, would have to apply for a visa to live with his parents elsewhere, adding another layer of complexity to their situation.

Widespread Condemnation

Reform UK's proposals have been met with swift condemnation from various sectors. Migration charities and think tanks have warned the plans would have a devastating impact on the UK economy. Josephine Whitaker-Yilmaz, head of advocacy at the charity Praxis, cautioned that the proposals would "tank our already-struggling economy by disrupting the lives of millions of people who've been living and working legally in the UK for many years."

The care industry, heavily reliant on international workers, has also raised the alarm about potential crippling labour shortages. By targeting legal migrants, critics argue Reform UK is not addressing the UK's real challenges but is instead engaging in the politics of fear, undermining the very values of fairness and decency.

"This is not leadership. This is not patriotism," Sureka concluded. "It is the politics of fear—and it undermines the very values of fairness, decency, and community that Britain should stand for."