Angela Rayner Calls for Huge Migration Crackdown in Bombshell Leaked Memo – Welfare, NHS Access, and Pensions All Targeted

Angela Rayner is under fire after a leaked memo revealed she had urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to introduce tougher rules on immigration. The memo, reported by *The Telegraph, shows that the Deputy Prime Minister pushed for big changes to how immigrants access public benefits in the UK.

In the document, Rayner reportedly encouraged Reeves to consider limiting access to the State Pension for immigrants who have only recently arrived in the country. She also proposed making it harder for immigrants to claim Universal Credit, and increasing the Immigration Health Surcharge—a fee foreigners must pay to use the NHS.

These proposals are part of what appears to be a wider effort by Rayner and her team to help the government avoid spending cuts by raising more money through other means. According to the report, the memo did not include specific estimates of how much money these changes would save, but described the ideas as “radical” and “contentious,” yet worth exploring.

One of the more controversial parts of the memo points out that immigrants who have lived in the UK for five to ten years are often able to access a wide range of benefits. Once they get indefinite leave to remain, they become eligible for key entitlements like Universal Credit and State Pension (after 10 years of National Insurance contributions).

Rayner’s team highlighted that many of the immigrants who arrived during recent years of high immigration could soon qualify for these benefits, placing a growing burden on the welfare system. The memo suggested that the upcoming Spring Statement could announce a formal review of these entitlements, aiming to save money before the next budget review.

It also raised the possibility of increasing the Immigration Health Surcharge again. This fee, which began in 2015 at £200, has steadily risen over the years. It’s now set at £1,035 as of 2024. Even at that rate, the Department of Health and Social Care reportedly says it barely covers the cost of treating migrant patients.

Under current UK rules, most immigrants on work visas are not eligible for cash benefits—unless they are granted indefinite leave to remain. That’s typically only possible after five years in the country, although the Home Office has recently said it’s looking into extending that period to 10 years for some migrants, delaying their access to public benefits even further.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also announced a plan to reduce net migration. The government hopes to cut the number of people coming into the UK by up to 100,000 a year. Net migration, which measures how many more people enter the country compared to how many leave, was at 728,000 in the year to June 2024. That’s lower than the record 906,000 recorded the previous year, but still much higher than many in the government are comfortable with.

These latest revelations could spark more political tension, especially among those who believe the current Labour leadership may be shifting toward stricter immigration policies—something that may not sit well with all voters.