Shabana Mahmood has hinted she will cave to Labour rebels demanding her settlement rights reforms be watered down. The Home Secretary, facing opposition from more than 100 of her own MPs, trade unions and voters, insisted she will “come to a position that balances fairness”.
Pressure from unions and MPs
The comments come after Andrea Egan of Unison accused Ms Mahmood of fuelling the far-Right by cracking down on settlement rights. Angela Rayner also came out against the plans, potentially plunging the flagship policy into chaos.
Ms Egan told The i paper that care workers face a 15-year wait to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
Addressing the Labour conference
Ms Mahmood told Labour conference: “Fairness is what unites us in this country. And a fair society unlocks the very best of us. Because when people think this country is fair, they are more open and generous to others.
“That same principle underpins my reforms to the right to live here indefinitely, ensuring settled status is earned by those who have shown a consistent commitment to this country.
“I know that, throughout our consultation process, some have said elements of these reforms are not fair. To that, let me say this. We will come to a position that balances fairness for those who came here legally, and fairness to British citizens across this country.”
The Labour Home Secretary insisted she has to tighten the requirements for indefinite leave to remain to restore control of Britain’s borders.
Plans and backlash
Under Labour’s plans, migrants will be told to wait at least 10 years before they can apply for settlement rights. Care workers face being forced to wait 15 years before they can apply for indefinite leave to remain, as immigration chiefs believe the health and social care visa was widely abused. Migrants could also be barred from claiming benefits unless they become British citizens.
Some 4.2 million migrants moved to the UK between 2021 and 2024. Ms Mahmood said: “When we are secure in ourselves, we are more tolerant too, because the existence of one group does not threaten another. So, a proud Muslim like me can be a proud Brit and a Brummie too.
“When fairness isn’t present, the opposite is true. When this country feels unfair, people turn inwards. A Britain that is unfair is one that is smaller and colder for those who look like me.”
Allies of Ms Mahmood insist the move is necessary to prevent the benefits bill from ballooning as 1.6 million foreign nationals who arrived between 2021 and 2025 gain settlement rights. But Left-wing MPs, trade unions and health groups want the Home Office to exempt migrants already here from the new rules, claiming it is unfair to change the rules after millions moved to the UK with the five-year threshold still in place.
Ms Egan said: “I think Shabana Mahmood’s proposals have fuelled the far-Right,” adding that some communities feel “angry”. “They feel let down in politics, and they want somebody to blame. So that’s it. It’s easy to blame the migrant workers. Well, I’m sorry, we’ve got to do a lot more to promote and show and demonstrate their value and who they are.”
A poll commissioned by the Left-wing Fabian Society revealed that even Labour voters want tougher immigration controls. The survey by YouGov found 44% of respondents who voted Labour in 2024 are dissatisfied with migration policy.
