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Migrants who are in the UK legally could have to wait up to 20 years before they can settle permanently, under government proposals. The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain will be extended from five to 10 years, and will apply to the estimated 2.6 million who arrived since 2021. The changes will not apply to people who have already obtained a settlement. Mahmood said becoming part of the UK was "not a right but a privilege - and one that must be earned". The package is the latest in a string of changes to the immigration system announced by Mahmood over the past week. Settlement, also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), allows someone to live in the UK permanently, work without restrictions and access public services. It is also a key step towards British citizenship. Currently, most work and family visa holders can apply for settlement after five  years. Under the proposed changes, the standard wait will b...

A major restaurant chain with over 30 locations across the United States has filed for bankruptcy, blaming  skyrocketing food  and labour costs for its financial woes. M&M Custard LLC, one of the largest franchise operators for Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, has locations across six states and had announced ambitious plans to expand throughout Chicago just three years ago. However, since then, the company has been forced to file a  Chapter 11 bankruptcy  case,  listing its $5.52 million in assets dwarfed by its $27.7 million in liabilities. Fears that the chain could close its stores in Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, and Kansas intensified after the filing. However, the company is reportedly working to keep all its stores open. “We have no comment beyond that there are no plans to close any additional stores whatsoever,” Eric Cole, Co-CEO and founder of M&M Custard LLC, told  The Independent . “The stores we closed that...

The UK inflation rate fell to 3.6% in the year to October, but food prices rose again following a dip in September. Prices are rising at their slowest pace for four months, helped by smaller rises in household energy costs and lower hotel costs, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. Economists had expected a slightly bigger fall from September's 3.8% to 3.5%. The latest inflation report comes just a week ahead of the government's much-anticipated Budget. "I'm determined to do more to bring prices down," said Chancellor Rachel Reeves, after the latest data was released. "I recognise that inflation and the cost of living are still a big burden on families across the country," she said. Reeves has said easing cost-of-living pressures is one of the main goals of the Budget, which is expected to include a combination of tax rises and spending cuts to shore up the government finances. The biggest upward pressure on prices came from food and non-alcoho...

The Met Office has warned that yellow weather warnings for snow and ice could impact travel in Scotland and northern England later. Scattered showers of rain, sleet and snow are expected, with an ice alert for the north and east Highlands in place until 10:00. A second ice warning came into force at 05:00 and continues until 12:00, covering much of central and southern Scotland as well as northern England. A yellow alert for snow affects most of the mainland north of Perth until 18:00, after the Highlands saw  its first snowfall  of the season last week. The Met Office said that 0.8in to 2in (2-5cm) of snow is possible at lower levels and as much as 4in (10cm) on higher ground. Later, an alert for snow and ice covers all of northern Scotland, including Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, from 18:00 on Tuesday until 21:00 on Thursday. Another Met Office yellow warning is in force for snow and ice in coastal areas of eastern England from 06:00 on Wednesday until 18:00 on Thu...