Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood faces opposition over her controversial proposals around indefinite leave to remain (ILR), but polling shows they are popular with the public
Furious Labour backbenchers plan to force an embarrassing Commons vote over controversial migration changes which have opened a split in the party.
MPs have called for Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to scrap plans to double the standard qualification time for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). This would be applied to people already in the UK – a decision branded “un-British” by former deputy PM Angela Rayner.
On Friday Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said the Government is taking a “thoughtful and balanced approach” following Ms Rayner’s stinging attack. More than 100 Labour MPs have written to Keir Starmer urging him to rethink the plans.
Ms Mahmood insists the proposals – which would see people forced to wait an average 10 years rather than five – are rooted in fairness. Her plans would see migrants able to earn a faster settlement by contributing to their communities. But critics say it is unfair to change the rules for people already in the country.
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Awkwardly Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has said her party will vote for the measures if the Government faces a rebellion. The Home Office says no legislation would be needed to implement the new rules – so MPs would not have to vote.
But Labour insiders are looking at ways of using Parliamentary procedures to force a symbolic vote and show the divide in the party. Ms Reynolds said that the Home Secretary will respond to a public consultation before any final decisions, amid growing speculation about a climbdown.
More than 200,000 responses were received, the Government said. Ms Reynolds told Sky News: “I didn’t say that I agreed with Angela, but I did say that we are taking a very thoughtful and balanced approach to what is a difficult issue. But I do think the British public, given the levels of immigration that we’ve seen in recent years – although net migration is down markedly, I think that’s worth saying – but I do think the British public want to see a fair and managed system of immigration in this country.”
On Tuesday Ms Rayner – who has been touted as a contender if there is a Labour leadership race – said the change to ILR would be bad policy and a breach of trust. But polling by More In Common this week found 50% of the public supports Ms Mahmood’s proposals, with 22% undecided.
The Home Office estimates that 1.6million people could be allowed to settle permanently by 2030 if no action is taken, following a spike in net migration under the Tories.
Currently migrants become eligible for settled status – which means they become eligible for public funds and NHS care without paying a surcharge – after five years. Ms Mahmood plans to raise the standard rate to 10.
But NHS workers, high earners and people who volunteer will be fast-tracked. On the flipside, migrants who claim benefits or who came to the country illegally will be penalised.
Asked what his message was to Labour MPs, Communities Secretary Steve Reed said: “We have robust debates inside the Labour Party, as we do across politics, but the Government was absolutely clear: we were elected on a manifesto commitment to bring in an immigration system that works for Britain and is fair to those who need and deserve to seek asylum in this country.
“We’re consulting on that right now and the Home Secretary will announce the outcome from that consultation in due course.”
Labour backbencher Nadia Whittome has told The Mirror that the Home Secretary is on a “collision course” with MPs. She said earlier this month: “While some of these proposals can be implemented via secondary legislation, it is likely that MPs will get to vote on others. The Home Secretary has set herself on a collision course with many MPs in our party who firmly disagree with the government’s direction of travel on these issues.”