Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering diluting immigration reforms proposed by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, according to Labour sources. This potential shift comes as Burnham seeks to avoid his first backbench rebellion since taking office.
While Mahmood's reappointment as Home Secretary suggests Burnham's general support for her tougher stance on immigration, reports indicate he plans to adjust the proposed waiting period for migrants seeking the right to remain in Britain. Specifically, Burnham is exploring options to reduce the time some migrants must wait for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Shabana Mahmood's original plan, developed under the previous administration, aimed to double the ILR waiting period from five years to ten. The proposal also included a retrospective application to those already in the UK to manage claims from migrants who arrived post-pandemic. However, Burnham is reportedly considering exempting some migrants already in the country from the ten-year wait or abandoning the retrospective element altogether. Exemptions for specific groups, such as health and care workers, are also being discussed.
This potential watering down follows a letter signed by 80 MPs urging Burnham to modify the Immigration and Asylum Bill, citing concerns about alienating 'progressive' voters. Opposition parties have criticized the potential changes. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp stated that Burnham is not serious about tackling immigration and is capitulating to left-wing backbenchers on ILR reform. Zia Yusuf of Reform's home affairs team echoed this sentiment, suggesting Burnham is ignoring public concerns about immigration in favor of his party's backbenchers.
A government spokesperson affirmed the policy's intent, stating that the "privilege of living here for ever should be earned." The spokesperson highlighted that migration levels between 2021 and 2024 were historically high and acknowledged the impact of "hundreds of thousands of low-skilled migrants getting settlement." The government's stated intention remains to double the route to settlement from five to ten years, with a consultation underway regarding its application to individuals currently in the UK who have not yet received settled status.
