Overview

• At Labour’s conference, Keir Starmer said Reform UK’s bid to remove indefinite leave to remain from people lawfully in Britain is racist and immoral.
• Chancellor Rachel Reeves backed that assessment, adding that voters can support Reform without being racist.
• Reform leader Nigel Farage said the prime minister had insulted millions, and policy chief Zia Yusuf called the remarks beyond belief while reiterating their requirements that migrants pay their way, speak English and not commit crime.
• Labour plans to set out stricter criteria for settled status, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood exploring links to a person’s wider contribution to communities beyond their job.
• Conservative figure Chris Philp branded Starmer’s comments a disgraceful smear and argued Labour is belatedly adopting tougher settlement conditions the Tories previously proposed.