Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood believes Immigration Minister Mike Tapp should be dismissed following his public call for foreign care workers to be exempt from proposed visa rule changes. However, Downing Street has indicated that Tapp will remain in his post.
Tapp authored an article for The Times newspaper, where he advocated for individuals on care worker visas who have adhered to regulations and contributed to the care system to not face extended waiting periods for settlement. He stated, "it is my strong belief that those who have come to the United Kingdom on care worker visas who have played by the rules and have genuinely contributed to our care system should not be required to wait longer to apply for settlement."
A source within the Home Office suggested that Tapp would be sacked for violating the Ministerial Code, which mandates that ministers should express views privately and maintain a united public front once decisions are made. The Home Secretary reportedly views Tapp's article as a breach of these rules, as she was not informed of his intentions before the article was published. Sources indicated Tapp was attempting to present policy ideas as his own in an effort to secure a role in a potential new administration.
Despite the Home Secretary's stance, Number 10 has stated that Tapp remains in office and there are no plans for his removal. Tapp has been contacted for comment.
The government is preparing to introduce significant reforms to the immigration system. The upcoming Immigration and Asylum Bill, which aims to expedite the removal of individuals whose asylum claims are refused, is slated for presentation to the House of Commons next Tuesday and is expected to face considerable opposition from some Labour Members of Parliament.
Under the proposed reforms, the qualification period for most migrants seeking permanent residency would be extended from five to ten years. Individuals who arrived on health and social care visas could face a 15-year wait, and those who have relied on benefits for more than a year would be required to wait 20 years.
Mahmood has defended these measures, citing the need for a government response to the high number of arrivals in the UK. However, numerous Labour MPs have expressed opposition, labeling the retrospective nature of the changes as "un-British" and "moving the goalposts."
Mahmood is expected to push forward with these reforms, which will be carried over to the next prime minister following Sir Keir's resignation. Andy Burnham, who is widely considered a potential successor for Labour leadership and prime minister, previously stated that he "supports the broad thrust" of Mahmood's proposals.